NYBA recognizes individual efforts

A bunch of players put up impressive individual efforts in hopes of lifting their respective teams, and organizers of the 2nd Annual DFS-Northern Youth Basketball Association Invitational were proud to recognize them during the awards banquet Saturday night at the Saipan World Resort.

Bagging the most individual awards was Joy Baza of champion Agat Lakers in the girls’ Division III as she recorded the most steals with 11 and dished out the most assists with eight. With her performances and her role in helping her team win the championship, Baza was also recognized as the most valuable player for the division.

Cage belle Chelsea Ruluked also had a memorable tournament and went home with two awards in two different divisions. She posted the most rebounds in the girls’ Division III with 28, and was the most valuable player in the girls’ Division II competition after leading the Garapan Rollers to the championship.

Fellow G-Rollers Lynette Babauta was the shotblock queen for the Division III girls, Kevin Sanchez of the Lakers was coach of the division, and the G-Rollers took home the sportsmanship trophy.

In the boys Division III, Kristian Aquino of the G-Sparks topped the rebounds category with 41, Tinian’s Anthony Borja had the most blocks with seven, Kevin Cequena of runner-up Southern Sonics dished the most assists with 10, Edwin Camacho of the Matansa Sparks led the steals category with 13, and Preston Basa of 670 won MVP honors after leading his team to claiming the title over the Sonics.

The Boys Division II top players were Guy Mosley of the G-Stars with 28 rebounds, Lawrence Terlaje of the Lakers with four blocks, Christopher Dela Cruz of the San Antonio Sixers with nine assists, Anthony Rogolifoi of the Sonics with 14 steals, and most valuable player Ernest Duenas of the Sixers for playing a key role in the team’s championship run.

Jess Tudela of the Sonics was recognized as coach of the division, while the G-Sparks took home the sportsmanship award.

Meagan Castro of Hopwood Junior High School had the most rebounds for the Division II girls competition with a whopping 42, while teammate Ira Palero had two blocks to win the category. Liamwar Rangamar of the G-Rollers had the most assists with 18, while teammate Nicole Lebria had the most steals with 23.
Barrigada coach Jonathan Lujan was coach of the division, while Tinian won the sportsmanship award.
In the Division I competition, Ninu Feria of the G-Rollers was most valuable player for leading his team to the title, while his coach, Joe Diaz, was coach of the division. Saipan International School squad took home the sportsmanship award.