Former national player Steve Rasa passes away

Former CNMI national basketball player Steve Rasa passed away from oral cancer last Nov. 4 at the Commonwealth Health Center. He was 49 years old.

He is survived by his wife, Laurinz Daradar Rasa, and children Peachy Josifynn Quitugua, Maria Dolores Camacho Rasa, Irving Renaldo Soto (grandson Noah Ezekiel), and Madison Rose Camacho Rasa.

Aside donning the CNMI colors in many regional tournaments, the Marianas High School alumnus, who was a mainstay in local leagues playing for teams like Hi Five and 2002 men’s open basketball league champion Brothers, also made history when he scored 70 points while playing for CNMI Labor (He worked for Division of Fish and Wildlife) in the 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League.

In that April 10, 2006, the 5’10” bruiser single-handedly outscored Department of Public Works in a 126-54 drubbing. In all, Rasa finished with 25 regular field goals, six triples, and two free throws.

Ponce Rasa said his older brother was always good in basketball and in playing sports overall.

“When it comes to the world of sports, I had a lot of catching up to do. Of course, being the younger brother, I always wanted to participate in activities my brother Steven joined. Steven was a very athletic individual he excelled in pretty much any sport he joined. He was one of the biggest reasons why I strived to be a better version of myself in the world of basketball during our playing days. I think most times you would not hear one Rasa brother without the other when it came to basketball. We started this journey playing in Susupe for team High Five, which was compromised of all friends and family.”

The younger Rasa also said he was also fortunate to have played with his older brother in a couple of CNMI national basketball teams.

“The funny thing was where he went, I would follow thereafter. We had the opportunity to participate and represent the CNMI in the 1999 South Pacific Games on the island of Guam together, as well as the Micronesian Games held on our second home, the island of Pohnpei. Steve Rasa, my brother, certainly marched to the beat of his own drum. I will miss you, big brother, and I will certainly see you in the next. But for now, I will say I love you, I’ll miss you, and I wish you a safe journey.”

Former CNMI national coach Rufino Aguon said Steve Rasa made up for his lack of height, relative to the opposition, with grit and determination.

“I coached Steve in the Micro Games in Pohnpei I believe it was on 2002. He was very competitive and a physical player. He played as a power forward and did not back down from bigger and taller players. You can’t really tell his ferocity playing basketball because outside the court he is quiet and very friendly. My condolences to family and especially his brother Ponce who also played the same time as Steve in Pohnpei.”

Their teammates in the Brothers and national teams, Ed Diaz, said the elder Rasa was a needle-mover for the teams he suited up for.

“Steve was a very dedicated player that was very determined and was a key factor to the team. He worked hard, played good defense, and did his very best to help the team win the game. He was good at what he does in the game of basketball and was a team player as well. He played with the Brothers and also in the national team back then. To the family, my sincere condolences and he will be missed.”

Another teammate in the national team, Edsel Mendoza, said he will forever cherish not only memories playing basketball with Steve, but also their longtime friendship.

“Steve and I have been good friends in the court and outside court since ever since. He’s been a teammate of mine back in our days on local basketball leagues and CNMI national teams. To be honest I’ve been out of the basketball scene for years now and I only found out about Steve’s condition through his good brother Ponce over at the cemetery two weekends ago. I was shocked about the news and felt really bad about it. All this time I thought he relocated to the States. Then hearing this news about his health really caught me off guard. I feel so guilty not visiting him that day when Ponce told me about it because I totally remember the hospital room number Ponce gave me because now, I have to live with that. But I’m happy that my brother Steve is pain free and is in a better place. RIP brother and carry on! And to Poncy, like I told you on our last chat, in my eyes you (Poncy) are a good, supportive, and loving brother and teammate to Steve. Keep your head up, life goes on, until we meet Steve again someday. Ballers for life!”

Comparing the brothers in basketball, Mendoza said unlike Ponce, Steve was calm and collected on the court.

“He has an unorthodox style but effective, when he’s on fire in the court his pretty hard to stop both on offense and defense. He loves the game of basketball and respects it. When he plays, you’ll see the joy in him. He is also very gracious in defeat, but rest assure he’ll be back for redemption for a win. To put a little laughter in Ponce, Ponce was like picture your speedometer max speed at 300 mph, that’s Ponce’s pace but very passionate about being a baller for life too.”

Mike Babauta, the Rasas’ Hi Five teammate, also shared that Steve was a great rebounder. “His vertical leap for his height was great and also shoot the ball well from the perimeter. He was a great teammate, a good friend, and my par.”

Justis “Cuki” Alvarez said despite him playing for the Sharks during their basketball heyday, there was always mutual respect between him and Steve.

“Steve and I weren’t very ‘close’ in the sense that we never really hung out. But we were always cordial and friendly to each other whenever we did bump into each other. We’d talk basketball, of course, and as I mentioned, he was always a fierce competitor on the court. When we were very active in basketball from 1994 to 2002, when I ran the Sharks team, we always looked forward to playing against High Five from Susupe because we knew they always brought the heat. Steve and his brother Ponce, a former all-star, were always pressure players, both offense and defense. And although many a times things got heated on the court, it was always out of sheer hardcore competitiveness and having the will to win. Any other time, we always were respectful and good outside of the court, and we could hang out and have a few rounds and good talks, and we were always looking forward to the next game against each other,” he said.

As for his message to the Rasa family, Alvarez said, “Ponce and his wife Marissa are active members of the Marianas Racing Association, so of course, we hang out a lot, and we were saddened to hear of his passing.”

Daily mass of intentions for Steve Rasa is being offered at San Antonio Church at 6pm except for Sunday at 7am. Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. His remains will be escorted from Borja Funeral Home at 7:45am to Mount Carmel Cathedral for responso, holy rosary, and last respects. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10am.