MarPac, Joeten debut strong in gov’t/biz caging

The Inaugural R&J Wine and Liquor Inter-Gov’t/Business League 2023 went underway Monday afternoon with a parade of teams and games at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

About 30 minutes after the opening ceremony attended by dignitaries including Lt. David M. Apatang, Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho, Rep. Vicente Camacho (D-Saipan), Rep. Julie A. Ogo (Ind-Saipan), Sen. Dennis C. Mendiola (R-Rota), Alex Sablan representing the Northern Marianas Sports Association and Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation president James Lee and NMIBF members, the league opened with the first game between MarPac and the Commonwealth Ports Authority.

Apatang tossed the ceremonial jump ball before a group photo that signaled the start of the league.

MarPac and CPA came out to a slow start as both teams’ defense were impenetrable. Free throws by CPA started things off and that was when MarPac found their groove. With both teams rough and tumble, fouls, free throws, steals, and rejections was the name of the game.

The lightning-fast trio of Greg Sablan, Jeff Castro, and Coby Santos led MarPac with their fastbreak plays at the net and within the paint. The long ball was also Sablan and Castro’s specialty as they each had three from 3-point territory.

Throughout the game, it was clear that MarPac’s chemistry was more well synced than CPA’s as they made almost impossible passes that had CPA rooted and unable to properly defend. But CPA had a tank by the name of Zack Diaz who, by his sheer size, easily blocked and smacked the ball out of MarPac’s shooters.

MarPac put up better percentages though as they made most of their attempts, while CPA would constantly shoot but miss on accord of MarPac’s defensive pressure.

Sablan ended up with 23 points, while Santos was a point behind with 22. For CPA, their sharp shooter who tried to carry the team was Donovan Brennan with 25 points.

In the other game that night, Joeten routed the Feds, 81-58.

Games are every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday at 5:30pm and 7pm; and Saturday at 2:30pm, 4pm, and 5:30pm—all at the Ada Gym.

The teams in the league are the Public School System, Docomo Pacific, Marpac, CUC, Priority Care, Office of the Governor, Feds, CPA, CHCC, and Joeten.

Entrance fee for general admission is $2, while VIP is $5.

In the opening ceremony remarks of Sablan before the first game, he thanked R&J Wine and Liquor for their sponsorship as well as MarPac and NMIBF. He then thanked the players. “This is what this facility is put together for and what it’s all about. We want to thank the Office of the Governor, the mayor, the members of Legislature, who continue to support this facility, restoring it to its current condition.”

Lee, for his remarks, thanked Apatang, mayor Camacho, and members of the lLgislature in attendance, and the participating teams.

“We haven’t had one of these for, I would say eight years. It’s been a while. Last time we had one here, the gym did not look like this… there’s definitely a lot of sports activity going on. This league is for us—for our businesses and government for all your hard work. So, at least this allows us to have a little fun through basketball.”

NMBIF’s Mike Mercado said of the people in attendance and of the sponsor, R&J Wine and Liquor, “Your partnership is invaluable to us. We must express our heartfelt gratitude to our major sponsor, R&J Wine and Liquor—your generosity has been instrumental in making this dream a reality.”

MarPac 81 – Sablan 23, Santos 22, Castro 22, Mettao 12, Riungel 2.

CPA 68 – Brennan 25, David Camacho 19, Mancao 8, Diaz 8, Hambros 3, Cepeda 2, Hofscneider 2, D. Camacho 1.

Scoring by quarters: 17-9, 44-27, 61-45, 81-68.