3 teams win in NMC cage tourney
Maburn, Tinian Airborne and No Fear teams vanquished separate rivals to rule their age groups in last Saturday’s Northern Marianas College three on three basketball tournament held at the Saipan Recreational Center.
Emerging victorious in the open category was the No Fear team made up of Dave and Jerry Diaz, James Lee, Pete Mendiola and Nathan Sablan. No Fear bested two other teams before dismissing Tanapag Ballers in a tightly contested game, 19 to 17.
According to Mr. Mendiola, No Fear had to rely on their outside shooting because the Tanapag Ballers’ players were tall and made it virtually impossible for them to post up and score from the inside.
“Luckily our outside snipping worked and we overwhelmed them eventually,” Mr. Mendiola’s teammate Dave Diaz said.
In the 19 and under category, Tinian Airborne defeated Che’lus to the tune of 16 to 14. Tinian Airborne was represented by Anthony and Herman Borja, Antonio Castro, Jesse Manibusan and Julian Santos.
In the much anticipated 40 and above category, Maburn players Rufino Aguon, Ray Basa, Ray Macduff and Arnold Mesa proved they still could strut their wares in the hardcourt winning two straight games, 17 to 7 and 16 to 12, to take home the championship.
The Maburn players are mainstays of Saturday morning full-court pick-up games at the Saipan Recreational Gym. Mr. Aguon is coach of the CNMI team to the Micronesian games, while Mr. Mesa is a referee in inter-government and commercial leagues.
“All the games were tough and went down the wire. The players gave their all and exhibited the spirit of true sportsmanship,” Mr. Aguon said.
A total nine teams participated in the tournament which started at 9 am and concluded with the championships at ten minutes past 1 pm. The winning teams received cash prizes as well as box-full of Powerade drinks.
Each team was allowed to have five players in its roster. Four teams played in the 19 and under, three in the open and two in the 40 and above categories.
The half-court cage tourney was held in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the NMC and was in line with the college’s celebration of Charter Day.
