Saipan Tribune

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Friday, September 21, 2012

MBFNMI calling out for 50A players

Organizers for the upcoming 2nd Annual Masters Basketball Federation of the Northern Marianas Islands basketball season are inviting all interested players ages 50 and above who want to participate in a potential 50A grouping.

Players who do not have a team are still welcome to register with the club and get in on the action.

Two teams have already shown interest and plenty of slots are available. MBFNMI vice chair Joe Pangelinan persists in getting enough 50A players together to make a fourth addition, but if not they will be added into the 45A field with a few roster adjustments to even out the competition.

The entrance fee to participate is set at $10 per player, per division; team fees are set at a lump sum of $120.

A proper form of identification, such as a valid driver's license, birth certificate or identification card, is required upon registration.

Rosters are limited to 12 players per team and everybody must play.

Opening day for the MBFNMI's 35A, 40A, and 45A age divisions is set for Sept. 30 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium at 9am; all games will be played weekly in Ada Gym on Sundays.

So far, seven 35A teams, six 40A squads, and five 45A groups have expressed interest in participating this year. However, none are confirmed and league organizers are still awaiting payment.

Organizers expect to iron out most of the aforementioned uncertainty on opening day.

Notably, this upcoming season comes after a lengthy break in the action for the MBFNMI as its last episode took place back in February 2011.

“We initially planned to continue right into the next set of matches in April 2011, but had to put things on hold because of the repairs being made at the Ada Gym. We apologize to players for the falling behind, but I did not want to move the league outside for fear of increased injuries to the players,” said MBFNMI chair Ray Lizama over the phone yesterday.

Lizama also expressed positive expectations of the return of masters hoops, adding, “At the end of the day, the whole purpose [of the MBFNMI] is all about coming together and promoting health and fitness, and I think its safe to say that all of us could use the exercise after the long break.”

For more information, contact MBFNMI chair Ray Lizama at 286-6269 or email mastersbasketball_670@yahoo.com.

Interested 50A players can also contact Pangelinan at 234-6925 or 322-5756.