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Usi firing on all cylinders in Daly City league
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Posted on Jun 30 2023
Mico Usi, fourth from left, poses with his Air21 teammates in the Philippine Basketball League in Daly City, California.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Former Maplas player Mico Usi is also continuing his love of hoops in the U.S. after recently suiting up for the Philippine Basketball League in Daly City, California.
The 48-year-old Macabebe, Pampanga native plays for Air 21 in the league and he said they have a good chance of making the playoffs.
Usi said he’s a role player in his team as he contributes in all facets of the game—points, rebounds, and assists—while playing power forward.
At first, he admitted to being confused on the different basketball rules in the league, but after a few games under his belt he’s gotten accustomed to the PBL brand of basketball.
“I just concentrate more on defense than offense and just work as hard as I can on the court,” he said in Filipino.
While he’s the only player from Saipan in Air 21 right now, he expects former Blue Haus big man Bartley Demapan to suit for his team next season.
Aside from Maplas, Usi also saw action for JP Center, MJD Construction, and Kanoa Resort, among others, in his playing career on Saipan.
Usi, who moved with his family to California in late 2021, currently works as a fulltime autocad designer at KLC Consultant Architectural Design. He also works part-time as a bartender at Hula Hoops Bar and Restaurant.
Asked what he misses most about Saipan, he said it’s his close friends and fraternity brothers at Emon Masonic Lodge No. 179, Saipan Maga’lahi Eagles Club, and Cabalen organization.
Usi finished architecture at the University of the Assumption in San Fernando, Pampanga. He played basketball in college and also in high school, where he started as the team’s lead guard.
