Junior Leaguers going to World Series

Who said lightning doesn’t strike twice?

The CNMI Junior All-Stars snatched the Asia-Pacific Tournament championship after nipping archrival Guam 5-4 yesterday at Agana’s Paseo Stadium.

The CNMI entered the finals as underdogs after finishing the eliminations with a 1-1 card. The islanders began the tournament on the wrong foot after losing to Guam 6-7 on Saturday.

They barged into the championship after drubbing Jakarta 14-4 on Monday, which set up a rematch of last year’s finals.

Guam, meanwhile, was a confident team going into the contest after sweeping its first two games. But déjà vu happened in the much-anticipated grudge match between the Asia-Pacific powerhouses with the CNMI coming out on top and duplicating its 4-1 upset of the same team in Rota.

The CNMI Junior All-Stars is made up of Jesse Borja, Shane Yamada, Jesus Iguel, Vince Sablan, Martin Pangelinan, Josh Arriola, Joe Salas, Thorn Sablan, Ryan Ada, Jonathan Salas, Kevin Babauta, Nicolas San Nicolas, Nunu Kapileo, and Juan Tenorio. The team is managed by Frank “Sonny” Flores and head coach is Roy Sablan.

CNMI Little League assistant district administrator Tony Rogolofoi was ecstatic following the Junior Leaguers’ win against Guam.

“Everybody in that team deserves our whole-hearted congratulations. Everyone from the players, the manager, the coaches to the batboys did a great job down there for us. They held their heads up high even with the early loss to Guam and then got back at them when it really counted. And now they’re going to the World Series,” he said.

As of press time, the Commonwealth’s two other teams in the Big and Senior Leagues were still playing Guam in the championship.

On Tuesday, the CNMI Senior League All-Stars finished what they started when they blew out the Philippines to the tune of 13-0.

They were up 8-0 when play was suspended in the bottom of the second last Monday.

The win against the Philippines allowed the CNMI to advance to the championship round opposite Guam, who beat them 13-7 last Sunday.

Tuesday was a day-off for Team CNMI in the Big Leagues. But the team got the opportunity to scout their opponent in the finals when they saw Guam rip the Philippines 5-1.

Guam finished the eliminations with a 2-0 mark and faced second-place CNMI (2-0) in the finals. The Philippines bowed out with a 0-2 record in the regionals.