25-and-under cage league sets Feb. 11 start

As many as seven teams will see action when the 2005 Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands 25-and-under Basketball League finally unfurls on Feb. 11 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

League coordinator Abner Venus confirmed yesterday that five teams signified their participation by paying entry fees and two more are waiting in the wings to jump in.

The five confirmed teams are Toyota Ol’Aces, Hoopaholics, Ghasias Brothers, Ulloa, and Garapan Rollers. The two on the outside looking in are San Vicente Sunrisers and Tanapag Warriors.

Venus resolved the participation crisis in a meeting last Thursday not soon after BANMI imposed a Jan. 28 deadline for the 25-and-under league to set its affairs in order, specifically to name an opening date for the competition.

Games of the 25-and-under league will initially be played on Wednesdays and Fridays. The first game begins at 6:30pm with the second game scheduled at 8pm, or immediately after the conclusion of the first game.

Hoopaholics and Ulloa will see action in the opener on Feb. 11, while the nightcap features Saipan Rotary Club Summer Youth Basketball League rivals Toyota Ol’Aces and Garapan Rollers.

Players eligible to see action in the league are those whose 26th birthday does not predate the opening of the season.

Venus said it took more than four months to organize the start of the league because of the inability of teams to come up with the entrance fee. He said teams have come to him in the past several months complaining of fundraising difficulties.

Registration fee for the 25-and-under league is $900 for teams who wish to have uniforms supplied by the league or $600 for teams who already have their own uniforms.

Before the implementation of BANMI’s “No pay, no play” policy late last year, as many as 14 teams, including the seven already mentioned, showed interest in competing in the 2004-2005 season.

Aside from the entry fee, participating teams are also required to submit necessary documents for age verification and accomplished waiver forms as soon as possible to BANMI.

For more information on the 25-and-under league, call BANMI president Mike Muna at 664-3582, or league coordinators Venus at 287-5911 and Elias Rangamar at 664-2503.

In 2003, Proa hoisted the championship of the 25-and-under tournament after it waylaid Ghasias Brothers, 106-91, in the title tiff.

Verizon also won that season’s pennant championship and was coached by then CNMI national basketball team coach Rufino Aguon. Its players included Jester Garcia, Dave Palacios, Boaz Etpison, Ambrose Ogumoro, Jeremy Sablan, Ponce Rasa, J.C. Kim, Oscar Ada, and Mel Manibusan.