Good mix of youth and experience in MBT squad

National team coach Elias Rangamar has assembled a cast of tried-and-tested veterans and a sprinkling of youthful exuberance to compete in next month’s 3rd Annual Micronesian Basketball Tournament in Guam.

The 12-man squad is composed mainly of players from the recent BANMI Budweiser Cup. Rangamar selected four players from champion Toyota Ol’Aces I, three from runner-up APC Brothers, two from San Vicente Sunrisers, one from Ol’Aces II, and two players from the 18-and-under league.

Expected to start at center is Abong Camacho, a bruising 6’3” veteran of the South Pacific and Micronesian games who played for Ol’Aces I. A lefty with a potent inside game, Abong can be the X-factor of Team CNMI. If he keeps his emotions in check then the squad has a chance, if he loses his cool there’s no telling what direction the team goes.

His primary back-up is Oscar Ada, a 6’5” find from the Rotary ranks who has shown an uncanny ability to block shots but is a little raw on offense. He recently suited up for Brothers in the Budweiser Cup.

The starting forwards could be Jawn Joyner and Peter Camacho. The 6’1” Joyner has no real inside game but has been dubbed the Human Flyswatter by his Sunrisers teammates for his propensity for swatting shots.

Peter Camacho, for his part, has an inside-outside game without peer on Saipan. The 5”11” swingman is light on his feet and can stroke it from just about anywhere on the basketball court. He also brought down the ball on occasion while playing for O’Aces I last season.

Rangamar’s other options at the forward spots are Gabriel White, John Santos (Ol’Aces I), and Ambrose Ogumoro (Ol’Aces II).

White, along with youthful Dan Barcinas, are the acknowledged gym rats of the team. The 5’10” small forward drives strong to the basket and also has decent outside jumper. He also has the ability to play two-guard.

Ogumoro, meanwhile, makes up for lack of speed and ceiling with dogged tenacity. The 6’0” power forward is a tough customer inside and has developed a 15-foot jump shot.

Santos could be called a poor-man’s Peter Camacho. He is better at going to the basket than Peter but has yet to equal his teammate’s efficiency from the outside. Rangamar has also hinted at using Santos at the point guard spot.

And since we’re already on the topic of guards, Rangamar is expected to summon a battalion of ballhandlers to bring down the spheroid for Team CNMI.

Three-point artist Mark Wallace of Sunrisers may get the call and start at point guard. Expected to start alongside is one-man fastbreak and the senior citizen of the team, Tony Diaz.

Wallace is a natural off-guard but has taken the playmaking chores for Rangamar by default. The 5’11” Wallace is a good athlete and has great court vision on the floor. He can also drive with the best of them and can fire it up from long distance.

Despite his age (going on 35 years young), Diaz can still run like the wind. Add to this is his willingness to mix it up inside and his ability to make the basket even with contact. Rangamar also counts on his veteran leadership to guide the team.

Backing up the two are three neophytes to regional competition – Jeremy Winkfield (Garapan Rollers), Dan Barcinas (Ol’Aces of the Rotary league), and Jester Garcia (Brothers).

Winkfield, a former swimmer, is probably the most athletic of the group. A little wet behind the ears, the 5’11” two-guard still prefers to drive to the hole despite being a better-than-average shooter from 18 feet out.

Barcinas, for his part, will probably play behind Wallace at the No. 1 spot. The 5’8” guard showed promise in the 18-and-under tournaments but still has lots to learn on how to run a team.

Garcia is the oldest of the team’s babies. He is a rugged defender who could also open up the inside with his perimeter game.

The MBT will take place from July 5 to 10. Aside from host Guam, Team CNMI will also likely play against teams from Palau (Defending champion), Kosrae, Marshall Islands, Pohnpei, and Yap, Chuuk.

Assisting Rangamar in some of the coaching responsibilities is Greg Iginoef, who will serve as team scout and statistician.