CNMI cagers set benchmark in Guam

The CNMI Junior Nationals performed beyond what was expected of them during the 7th FIBA Oceania Junior Tournament at the University of Guam Fieldhouse in Mangilao.

“I believe we have set a benchmark for the next team to achieve. We were just two games away from the medal rounds,” said coach Rufino Aguon.

The CNMI cagers played for the fifth to sixth place game and lost to Fiji (63-65) in a match that was decided in the last minute. Guam and New Caledonia collided in the third place battle with the host winning, while Australia ruled the tournament as expected handily beating Tahiti in the finals.

Overall, the CNMI cagers won two games in the tournament. They downed Papua New Guinea in pool play, 93-84, and defeated Palau in the playoffs, 100-90.

Aguon’s wards lost to Guam, New Caledonia, and Tahiti, but gave their foes a tough time in the first half of their games before falling short in the second half.

“We did not expect to win but we knew that Palau would be our best shot since we have played against them before and knew how they played. Against PNG, we concentrated on our game and were not awed by their taller players. Our speed, defense, and teamwork enabled us to win against PNG. It also worked against Fiji, but in the end we made some crucial errors that caused us the game,” Aguon said.

It was the first time for the CNMI cagers to compete in a high-level tournament such as FIBA caging, but the Commonwealth’s bets were not that intimidated by their more experienced and much taller foes.

“Our boys showed that we can play against the best of them. While we were outsized, we were not outclassed once we got the first game in and the butterflies out,” Aguon said.

“On a scale from 1 to 10, I gave our boys an 11. I am so proud of them. As for the heart they showed in every game and their never-say-die attitude, we were the champs,” Aguon said.

The CNMI Junior Nationals were composed of Jericho Cruz, Jomary Tumaquip, Jayvan Tarkong, Marvin Rabauliman, Antonio Borja, Bill Babauta, Joseph White, Jose Castro, Allen Moses, and James Camacho.

On a personal note, Aguon admitted he had been through a lot of tournaments, but the FIBA Oceania caging was one of the toughest.

“It was both exhilarating and tiring. It is very demanding and if you are not prepared for it, usually you will be overwhelmed. We were prepared to some extent, unfortunately basketball is a game of height and we lacked that,” the CNMI coach said.

Aguon added he learned a lot from the tournament and these he could share to local coaches and players so when the CNMI competes in the same tournament next time, the result would be better.

“First is we must stress the importance of developing the basic basketball skills of our players at an early age. By the time these kids come to the national level they have these skills that will enable them to make the team,” Aguon said.

“Second, we must also instill in them that you must work hard to improve your game. Conditioning is a key factor and if they are not use to hard work, they will usually quit. Third, let’s hope that our players start getting taller,” he added.

In the CNMI’s three losses, they were out-rebounded by their foes, who had several players standing more than 6’ tall.