Sapong wins silver in 100m run

Sprinter Zarinae Sapong handed Team Marianas a silver medal, as competition in the 2018 Micronesian Games in Yap kicked off yesterday.

Sapong finished second in the 100m run, but her official time was unavailable at the Oceania Athletics Association website as of press time. Guam’s Regina Tugade clinched the gold, while compatriot Shania Bulala bagged the bronze.

Meanwhile, besides fielding entries in athletics, the CNMI also competed in spearfishing and basketball (men’s and women’s).

The individual event of the spearfishing contest started yesterday morning with participants taking off from Yap Marina in Colonia. Robert Shansky Hubert is the CNMI’s representative in the spearfishing competition and results of the individual event were unavailable at press time.

In athletics, Ron Olopai, Kelvin Fitial, and Tony Ichiuo joined the men’s discus event that was scheduled to start at 4:30pm. Oceania Athletics Association has yet to post results of the men’s discuss along with the men’s and women’s 100m run races as of 830pm last night.

Jamie Pangelinan was the CNMI’s other entry to the 100m qualifying heats, while Traven Quitugua and Gabriel Sappa raced in the same enet in the men’s divisions.

The women’s javelin and long jump and 400m preliminary heats also took place in the opening day of the athletics competition.

In basketball, the CNMI Men’s National Team collided with Pohnpei, while Guam and Palau opened the hostilities in the sport.

The CNMI is in Pool A for the elimination round and will also meet Guam, Palau, and Kiribati. Pool B has the Marshall Islands, Kosrae, Chuuk, and host Yap.

The CNMI women’s basketball team also saw action yesterday and was scheduled to play the Marshall Islands in the 5pm match. Today, the Elias Rangamar-coached squad will go up against the host in the 3pm game. The CNMI is in Pool B, while Palau, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and defending champion Guam are in Group A.

Guam won the first medal in the Micro Games, courtesy of Ryan Matienzo, who ruled yesterday morning’s 10K run. Matienzo timed in at 36:16.32 in the 25-lap run around the Yap Sports Complex oval to lead Guam’s 1-2 finish. His compatriot Benjamin Middlebrooke clocked in at 39:49.49, while Pohnpei’s Casey Henry rounded out the podium finish after checking in at 43:39.85. Palau’s Sheavon Emesiochel (43:44.70) and Pohnpei’s MJ Ioanis (45:14.67) were the other runners in the men’s 10K.

In the women’s division, Guam also took the gold after Genina Criss submitted 47:54.49 and beat Pohnpei’s Reloliza Saimon (49:01.58) and Palau’s Anaya Masang (50:04.31).

Baseball begins bid today
The Patrick Tenorio-managed baseball team will start its mission of regaining the gold medal the CNMI last won in 2006 when it takes on Kosrae in the 3pm match today at the Yap Sports Complex Baseball Field.

The CNMI squad is made up of Lorenzo Sebaklim, Virgil Secharmidal, Nokki Saralu, Henry, Franklin, and A.J. Lizama, Ben Jones, Roy Celis, Nathan Camacho, Patrick Alepuyo, Franco Flores, Shane Yamada, Francisco Lieto, Patrick Tenorio Jr., Ton Tenorio, Angel Palacios, Tyrone Omar, and Joe Deleon Guerrero, and coaches Manny Sablan and Mike Cruz.

The Commonwealth players will be facing the Kosrae crew, who was scheduled to debut against Yap in last night’s main match. Pohnpei and Palau dueled in the other opening day game, while Yap will face the former in tonight’s second tiff.

Each squad will play four games in the elimination and only the Top 4 will advance to the playoffs. The CNMI is hoping to finish in the Top 2, as it will allow the team to win only one match to return to the finals. The CNMI played Guam in the 2014 finals in Pohnpei, and Palau in the 2010 gold medal game.

In other news, the CNMI men’s and women’s canoe teams had their time in the waters off the Yap Marina as they held practice sessions yesterday.

Canoe races will start tomorrow and will run until Thursday. A technical meeting is set for today.

In the medal-rich weightlifting, practice sessions have also started. Nine teams are entered in the men’s and six in the women’s. The CNMI has both men’s and women’s squads and is represented by Angel San Nicolas, Rodrigo Ada, Antonette Labausa, Joseph Tudela, and Bonny Cruz.

The weightlifting competition will be held on July 25 and 26 at the Yap Sports Complex’s main gym.

Meanwhile, the CNMI Men’s Volleyball Team (Indoor) leaves Saipan today in time for this Thursday’s competition.

The Commonwealth bets will play in the opening game against Kiribati.