6 off to Australia for FIBA 3×3 program

The Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation flew out six cagers to South East Queensland, Australia for the FIBA 3×3 High Performance Development Program that will run from Sept. 24 to Sept. 28.

The cagers are Marlene Lumabi (coach); Sha Aina Mendoza (referee); Kina Rangamar (player); Ty Cepeda (player); Chioni Dela Cruz (player); and Kaia Travilla.

For Lumabi, Mendoza, Rangamar, Cepeda, and Dela Cruz, they are participating in the comprehensive program that, according to FIBA Oceania, focuses on skill development, high-performance training, coaching and referee education, and competitive opportunities in 3×3 basketball. This pilot program aims to set a precedent for future initiatives to nurture 3×3 basketball talent in the region.

It is also designed to develop teams, athletes, and officials preparing for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Koror, Palau.

Travilla is there for another program in which she will be immersed in media operations, including social media content curation. She will also join the regional Women in News and Sport Alumni network and might be considered for additional learning and engagement opportunities offered in the future.

On Day 1 and 2 of the camp, it is athlete, coach, and referee development. Day 3 is community engagement/media day and day one of 3×3 competitions. Day 4 and 5 are continuation of 3×3 competitions.

Lumabi said NMIBF wants the crew in Australia to “definitely come back with knowledge from the training. I don’t see them often because I have my own sessions as a coach while they have their sessions as players. So, to have them out there and get the experience and knowledge on how 3×3 works, I’m hoping they’ll come back and be able to share that with their fellow teammates and not safe guard it.”

For herself, she said, “I’m going down there and I definitely want to soak in as much as I can as a coach because it is a different style of coaching. In 3×3, you don’t have a coach on the court—it’s off the court where the adjustments and feedback happen. So, to have them there, it will be great for them to start developing their leadership skills. I’m with them, but I won’t be physically with them, so this is where they’re going to start developing.”

At the end of the day, she said, “NMIBF’s goal as a federation is to grow the 3×3 game.”