Team Nesian Built defends 3×3 title

Team Nesian Built successfully defended their title in the NMIBF Marianas Arsenal 3×3 Basketball Series 2K23 last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Coby Santos, Douglas Schmidt, Preston Basa, and Jack Lizama overpowered Net Rippers’ Jack Aranda, Greg Sablan, Juan Camacho, and Jeffrey Castro, 21-5, in the fast-paced championship game.

Third place went to Hagu Real Hoops’ Chioni Dela Cruz, Eli Aughenbaugh, Joseph Sablan, and Shane Deleon Guerrero, who won over Team Priority Care’ Steve King, Marvin Rabauliman, Matt Duenas, and Alfred Manglona, 22-11.

Team Nesian Built used their chemistry, speed, and impenetrable defense to their advantage as they held down a worthy adversary of sharpshooters and basketball veterans. Basa covered from the far range as under the net plays and drives were led by Santos, Lizama, and Schmidt.

Their hot defense pressured the Net Rippers to take off-balanced and inaccurate shots that resulted in missed opportunities. They could not get past them and only scored five points as Team Nesian Built ended the game early with their 21st point at 3:30 left on the clock.

With that, Santos scored 8 points, Basa put up 6, Lizama scored 5, while Schmidt scored 1. For Net Rippers, Sablan scored 3 points, while Aranda and Camacho had 1 marker each.

Schmidt was interviewed after the game and said they felt “good” defending their title. He said the team has been “preparing, working out, and getting in condition,” and their finals game highlighted their strategy of “defense and all out shooting.”

Throughout the tourney that began last Thursday, Team Nesian Built won all five of their games, just as they did in the November series. It is looking like they are the team to beat and Schmidt said their goal is to be the 3×3 team chosen to represent NMI in the FIBA Asia 3×3 Cup in Singapore next year.

Results of the women’s 3×3 championship will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.

For more information on the NMIBF Marianas Arsenal 3×3 Basketball Series 2K23, call (670) 287-3103 or email nmibasketballfederation@gmail.com.