Aguon makes his first cut

CNMI Men’s National Basketball Team coach Rufino Aguon made his first cut last Jan. 26, inviting back 16 players for his tryouts and making room for a couple of more additions for the squad that will compete in the 2006 Micronesian Games here on Saipan.

Given clearance to continue working out with the team are former national players Ed Diaz, Edsel Mendoza, John Joyner, Dan Barcinas, Kelvin Fitial, Jeremy Sablan, Melvin Manibusan, Mark Wallace, Steve Rasa, and up-and-coming players Shan Seman, Jack Lizama, Aleric Aguon, Justin Fejeran, Gus Palacios, James Lee, and Dexter Mendiola.

Aguon said he also needed to tweak his selection process a little bit, “since there are a good number of guys showing up and will fight for positions.”

He also said that 6’4” former NCAA Division II player Richard “Doc” Brostrom, the director of Public Health, has also made his intention to join the tryouts.

Aguon also said that former wards J.C. Kim and Oscar Ada have also made overtures of wanting to be part of the team.

Kim is around 6’3” with pivot skills and would be a big boost to the CNMI’s frontline, while Ada has reportedly sprouted to 6’7” and can leap out of the gym. Kim and Ada are off-island in Oregon and Hawaii, respectively, pursuing their college degrees.

“They [Kim, and Ada] have been given the same workout program, so if they do it then they have a good chance. They will be tested when they arrive first week of May,” he said.

Aguon also said earlier that former Rotary standout Chris Idip, an athletic guard with above-average shooting skills, may also tryout for the team. He is currently serving in the U.S. Marines.

As far as the holdovers go, Aguon said the 16 have been through a lot but it is the price they have to pay to prepare for the Games.

“So far okay, most of them are completing the drills. [It’s] tiring but they understand that if they do not improve physically, then they will not go to the next level,” he said.

Aguon said he is happy with the turnout for the tryouts and is looking forward to working more with the holdovers and eventually molding a team from the final 15 in preparation for the big dance this summer.

“Most of the players trying out have good skills, so I am happy about that. So with this, our major work will be on conditioning and team plays and then gelling as a team before the Micro Games. Next cut will be the end of this Month,” he said.