3×3 Bash from Aug. 31-Sep. 2; tryouts held for PMG 3×3 team

The Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation is hosting a Back 2 School 3×3 Bash from Saturday, Aug. 31 to Monday, Sept. 2 at the Koblerville Gymnasium.

The time is yet to be announced.

There are two divisions for this bash—U17 and U14 boys.

The NMIBF also hosted tryouts for a 23U men’s and 23U women’s 3×3 basketball team for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau last Aug. 1 and 2 also at the Koblerville Gymnasium.

A group of men and women interested in making the cut showed up and were put to the test with drills and scrimmages over the course of two days. The tryouts are ongoing for the rest of the year with more dates and tourneys to be announced at later dates.

The women’s group were handled by NMIBF’s Marlene Lumabi and Lia Rangamar, while the men’s group was led by coach Rufino Aguon, along with some members of the NMI Men’s National Basketball Team.

NMIBF president James Lee was present at the tryout on Aug. 1 and said in an interview that the turnout was great. “A lot of the men came out and we were hoping to see more females as well,” he said.

He also said that three off-island players for the women’s team are interested in competing for the Mini Games. They are Alliyah Fernandez and Won sisters Ky’Sonna and E’anna. “They are interested so that’s a big plus for us. If we are really able to get their commitment, I personally don’t have to worry about them on conditioning, IQ, and skills level—they should be there. Now it’s just a matter of finding one more person to be able to gel with them,” said Lee.

With the tryouts, he said, “We’re seeing they’re basic skill levels, their footwork, free throws, being able to shoot. Then we’re going to jump straight to their conditioning, then a scrimmage just to see their chemistry—if they’re able to adapt and play with each other.”

He said, with the FIBA 3×3 format and played on a larger scale with all the other Pacific Islands, the competition is a whole different breed. He said they are looking for players who are able to play intensely within just a short spurt of 10 minutes, and who are able to play every position and are able to help each other out.

“From there, we’re going to pick 10 players, then the top six to advance to the program—same as the 5v5 national team. Then, we’ll put together the training regimen throughout the remainder of the year,” said Lee.

In addition to their on-island training, Lee said there is an opportunity for players to join a FIBA 3×3 program at the end of September in Queensland, Australia. It’ll be a one-week program in which they’ll send one referee, one coach, and four men and women players.

As the Mini Games competition is for 18-23-year-olds, and with most of the national team over 23 years, Lee said that the only experienced players for the men between 18-23 are 18-year-old Chioni Dela Cruz and 22-year-old Airson Atan—who were both in the 2024 Micronesian Games national basketball team.

“So, heading into the Games, players would need chemistry and confidence. The Micro Games were rough—it’s a physical game—and even more so with 3×3. When it comes to 3×3, it’s the first to 21 points and it’s a very fast-paced game. So, if you’re not conditioned and your mind is not prepared, then it might not be for you,” he said. “This is the Pacific Mini Games with Australia and other Pacific countries. We can’t train height so now it just comes down to can they help each other? Can they understand how to box out and be more physical? So that’s why the veteran players like Jack [Lizama], Coby Santos, and others are here because they will be their bullies and toughen them up. I’m looking forward to that and let’s see how it goes.”

For Lumabi’s part, she said, “I was hoping for more girls to come out, but I do see some new faces. That’s the goal of the program—to get more girls out and new faces means growth.”

She said she liked how a lot of young girls came to try out because she said if they start off with playing 3×3, then they transition to 5v5, it’s so much easier to coach.

With the tryouts, she said, “I like what I see… I love the aggressiveness because 3×3 is very physical. If you’re not aggressive, you won’t be able to play 3×3 the way it’s supposed to be played… I like that we have girls that can take contact and are physical.”

For more information on the Back 2 School 3×3 Bash and the tryouts, contact nmibasketballfederation@gmail.com.