Long-time basketball referee Mesa passes away

The CNMI basketball community is mourning Arnold Mesa, who passed away last weekend in California due to an illness.

Mesa was the most active referee in the Commonwealth, officiating local leagues, school tournaments, and even international and regional competitions where the CNMI played. He was once the president of the referees group on Saipan. He also played basketball here and in Guam in his younger years and represented the CNMI in the World Masters Games both as a referee and player.

“He’s irreplaceable,” Mariana Islands Basketball Federation official Elias Rangamar said when asked to describe Mesa and his contribution to CNMI basketball.

“He was always there to get the job done. If a referee can’t make it to the game, you just call him and he will step in. You can rely on him even on small tournaments or school competitions and he can stay for the whole day and officiate in all games,” Rangamar said.

The MIBF official was informed by Mesa’s passing last weekend. Rangamar is still waiting for Mesa’s daughter for more information about the FIBA-certified referee’s funeral arrangement so that MIBF could work on something to help the grieving family.

“On behalf of MIBF and our basketball community, we would like to express our condolences to Arnold’s family. His contribution to CNMI basketball is invaluable and we would like to thank him for all the time and effort he gave to the sport we all love,” Rangamar said.

Mesa’s fellow referees and other groups he helped also had a lot of good words for him.

“If there is one word to epitomize Arnold Mesa, it is basketball. His love for basketball is immeasurable. You can sit with him the whole day and all the time the topic is about basketball,” Manny Sitchon said.

“When it comes to officiating, he is willing to share his knowledge and although at times we had disagreements, I always respect his opinion because he officiated basketball and was FIBA certified ahead of me. He also knew when and how to admit mistakes and at crucial moments, when players complained and fans hated his calls, he managed to keep his composure,” Sitchon added.

Rex Yabut, on the other hand, recalled how Mesa gave him tips when he was just starting to referee games in the CNMI. Yabut was thankful to have Mesa as a mentor.

670 Sonics Basketball Association also thanked Mesa for sharing his knowledge to the group and its players.

“On behalf of the 670 Sonics Basketball Association, our condolences to the family of Arnold Mesa. He’s a CNMI basketball advocate, supporter, official, and mentor. Arnold played a big role in the development of basketball in the CNMI. Arnold was committed and dedicated to the sport of basketball, most importantly, to our youth basketball development. He wanted our youth to learn and understand well the fundamentals of playing the sport and the rules of the game. We, 670 Sonics say ‘thank you, and may you rest in peace Arnold,’” Sonics coach Omar Ajoste said.