Mandatory Masters cage meeting tomorrow

The Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands is calling on all interested teams for its upcoming Masters Basketball Laague to attend an important meeting set for Monday, Dec. 11 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room.

It will be the final meeting before the league kicks off on Wednesday, Dec. 13. The league was originally scheduled to get underway on Dec. 11, but was pushed back to give teams a little more time to prepare and comply with all requirements.

The meeting will serve as a venue to finalize the cast for the both the 35-and-over division and 45-and-over division. Each team is also expected to submit the $400 entry fee, as well as submit team rosters. Officials will also decide who will have the honors of kicking off the season.

According to league coordinator Tony Rogolifoi, 14 teams compete have expressed interest in competing in the league.

Rogolifoi disclosed that six teams will compete in the 35-and-over competition, while eight teams will battle it out in the 45-and-over division.

The 35-and-over division will feature the Typhoons coached by Tony Sablan, the Ol’Aces coached by Elias Rangamar, Northern Marianas College coached by Rufino Aguon, amd teams being coached by Andy Nepaial, Ray Takai, and Boy Garcia. Another team may also join the six, and officials are still awaiting confirmation.

The 45-and-over cast includes the Typhoons headed by Sablan, LBT coached by Jerry Lopez, Ol’Aces coached by Rogolifoi, Dinasores coaches by Nepaial, Proa coached by Aguon, NIC coached by Tony Gabriel, and a team to be headed by Takai. Another team has confirmed participating, but has yet to submit an official team name.

Rogolifoi said other teams still interested in competition can still register. Also, players without teams are asked to contact Rangamar, who will assist with finding a team for the players.

Rogolifoi said players to compete in the 35-and-over division must turn 35 years old by December, and those participating in the 45-and-over league must turn 45 on the same month as well. All players must provide documents that will be used for proof of age. Documents accepted include copie of driver’s license or passport.

Games will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Two games will be held on each playing day, with first games at 6:30pm and second games at 8pm.

The official game schedule will soon be drafted. Teams interested in registering may contact Rogolifoi at 288-3515, or Rangamar at 664-2502.