NMI 3×3 hoops teams set for debut in FIBA Asia Cup

The NMI men’s and women’s 3×3 teams are set and ready to go to Singapore for their debut in the 3×3 FIBA Asia Cup from March 27-31.

The men’s team is made up of Preston Basa, Jack Lizama, Douglas “Spider” Schmidt, and Coby Santos, while the women’s team consists of Kaia Travilla, Jan Travilla, Mikki Kautz, and Madeleine Alegre. Accompanying the team is Lia Rangamar, coordinator of the Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation Marianas Arsenal 3×3 Basketball Series and a representative of the NMIBF.

Both teams climbed to the top of the NMI Basketball Federation rankings after the few months-long NMIBF Marianas Arsenal 3×3 Basketball Series.

The men’s team named Team Nesian Built beat out 16 other teams throughout the whole series to bag the highest points of 190. The final game in the series was last Feb. 3. Meanwhile, the women’s team named Team Glaziers clinched their division after racking up 180 points.

The men’s team is in Draw B with No. 9 Republic of Korea, No. 14 Indonesia, and No. 18 Sri Lanka, while the NMI women’s team is in Draw C with No. 12 India, No. 18 Hong Kong, and No. 13 Indonesia.

Their first qualifying draw game is on Wednesday, March 27, 11am Singapore time, or 1pm local time, against the Republic of Korea. They are then facing off against Sri Lanka that evening, 6:30pm Singapore time, or 8:30pm local time. On Thursday, March 28, they are challenging Indonesia at 12:45pm Singapore time, or 2:45pm local time.

The women’s team will first take on India on Wednesday, March 27, at 8:10pm Singapore time, or 10:10pm local time. Then on Thursday, March 28, at 7:20pm Singapore time, or 9:20pm local time, they are set to go against Hong Kong, China. On the same day, they are going up against Indonesia at 8:35pm Singapore time, or 10:35pm local time.

On how the women’s team is feeling heading to the tourney, Kaia Travilla said, “It’s a great feeling to be able to play basketball and represent the NMI while doing it.”

“I’m confident that my team and I will do really well as I know the chemistry we have together on and off the court is good. I believe that’s one of the most important things,” she said.

The goal? “Play our hardest and show what NMI basketball can bring. I look forward to the overall experience that my teammates and I will be able to gain for the opportunity of playing in the Asia Cup 2024 and also for the many opportunities this can open up for basketball in the NMI,” said Travilla.

Basa, for his part, said, “We expect massive competition that we’ve never experienced before… We expect to play against giants.” He thanked coach Rufino Aguon for allowing them to practice 3×3 aspects along with the regular 5v5, and Basa said they’ll be focusing on 3×3 more heading into the tourney.

He said their strength is speed—with Schmidt and Lizama—along with their shooting. “We’ve been scouting the teams through YouTube. We noticed that they’re big but they don’t shoot as much, so we’re hoping we can exchange twos for ones down there. As long as we make our shots, I think we have a chance to perform well.”

As for NMIBF being able to send teams to compete in the NMI’s first 3×3 FIBA Asia Cup, Basa said, “It’s amazing. Big shoutout to the basketball federation, James Lee, David Apatang, Marlene [Lumabi], and the rest of them. Basketball is fun and our people enjoy it, but opportunities like this really bring hope to a lot of the youth and for them to look forward to something. That’s what we want—those that have played basketball to continue it, and have our kids fall in love with the game as well.”

Coordinator of the NMIBF Marianas Arsenal 3×3 Basketball Series, Joe Villacrusis, said that the team is ready to go. The team will be making their way to Singapore on Tuesday, March 26.

He said, “this is our first time. Our disadvantage is that we don’t have enough experience, and it’ll be a little bit of a culture shock… but we hope that maybe after the first game, they kind of brush it off and start playing their game. They’re good, they just need the experience.”

He added, “If we continue to send teams to the Asia Cup, maybe we can start to grow and get a better feel on how to advance.”

The last 3×3 tourney NMI competed in was the 2017 Vanuatu Pacific Mini Games made up of Lizama, Basa, Schmidt, and Dan Barcinas.

In the region, there’s a big push for the 3×3 format because it’s more accessible, easier to run, and has a faster rate of play.

Besides the Asian Cup, the NMIBF is setting up a 3×3 team to compete in the upcoming Micronesian Games in Marshall Islands this June, and hopefully in the 2025 Palau Pacific Mini Games.