Mobil caging eyes late February start

Organizers for the 2007 Mobil Oil Marianas Co-ed Invitational Basketball League have begun preparation for the upcoming season.

Newly appointed commissioner Marvin Deocares met with team representatives yesterday, and disclosed that the league will tentatively start in late February.

All in attendance voiced their opinions on various issues relating to the league, including regular season and playoffs format, awards, and rules, among others.

Teams for the season include defending champion Aqua Resort Club, reigning first runner-up Microl-Toyota, host Mobil, 2005 champion Fiesta Resort and Spa, Commonwealth Ports Authority, Commonwealth Utilities Corp., Hyatt Regency Saipan, McDonald’s Saipan, and Saipan Ice Corp.

The league also welcomed newcomers Joeten Enterprises and Saipan World Resort.

Like in the previous years, two games will be held every Tuesday and Thursday, with the first game scheduled for 6pm and the second at 7:30pm or 15 minutes after the first game.

Because of the deeper 11-team field, however, organizers are studying the addition of a third playing date—possible Sunday—to the weekly Mobil schedule.

All teams are limited to 15 players, and must have at least one female player suit up as well. Cage belles will play in the first and third quarters.

Meanwhile, the regular season features a round-robin format, with each team having the chance to face all teams in the league. The Top 6 teams will then advance to the playoffs, with the pennant champion and No. 2 seed getting first round byes.

No. 3 and No. 6 will battle, as well as No. 4 and No. 5. The winner between the third and sixth seed will face the second seeded team, while the winner of the No. 4-No. 5 bout will face the pennant champion in the semifinals. The two teams that are victorious in the semis will advance to play for the title, while the two that lose will play in the consolation game.

Deocares and the team representatives also confirmed that awards to be presented at the end of the season include most valuable player for regular season and finals, best coach, sportsmanship for team and individual, mythical five, steals champion, assist champion, blocks champion, scoring champion, rebounds champion, and best defensive player.

The Mobil co-ed basketball league was formed in 2001 to give the giant oil company a venue to fellowship with its client companies.

Since its inaugural season, the cagefest has grown in popularity and has attracted a following made up mostly of employees and staff of teams participating in league.

It has even survived the demise of league pioneer team Pacific Development Inc. (the 2003 champion) and that year’s second runner-up Pacific Island Aviation.

Last year, Aqua Resort leaned on its stratospheric frontline and bench depth to defeat pennant champion Microl in a one-game finals, 97-81.

The Mobil crown was previously worn by THC (2001), Microl (2002), PDI (2003), Aqua Resort Club (2004), and Fiesta Resort (2005).

For more information on the 2007 Mobil Oil Marianas Invitational Co-ed Basketball League, contact Deocares at 256-5515 or 287-7384.