Only Fams, ISAO 67 Old 2, LMFAO champs of Labor Day softball

LAS VEGAS, Nevada—Only Fams defeated ISAO to clinch the championship in the men’s division during the 19th Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament held at the Sunset Park in Las Vegas, Nevada last Sunday.

ISAO 67 Old 2 beat Old Man By The Sea in an epic championship battle in the masters’ division, while Ladies of the Marianas From All Over (LMFAO) clinched the championship title by winning over 670 Magas Babes Familia Association in a thrilling match in the women’s division.

Third place winners were Bulacheros Hawaii in the men’s division, Hafa Tribe from Arizona in the women’s division, and Taya Gua from Arizona and Saipan in the masters’ division.

No scores were provided as of press time.

Bulacheros Hawaii, Hafa Tribe, and Old Man received the Best Sportsmanship awards.

After the championship games, the awarding ceremony and banquet followed at a pavilion in the park. Members of the Las Vegas-based Kutturan Marianas performed several cultural dances during the banquet.

Men’s division champion Only Fams from Arizona went undefeated and won by a lot of runs during the three-day tournament. Twenty-seven teams competed in the men’s division, five in the masters’ division, and three in the women’s division.

Jared Sablan, a player/manager for Only Fams, said they did something that he believes will never be done again in the annual Labor Day Tournament.

“How we managed to do it? We just worked hard, we trust the guys in front of us, and behind us. And we know what we all can do. We’re all talented group of gentlemen,” Sablan said.

He said they are ready to defend their title next year.

“We went undefeated from Day 1 to Day 3, and we came on top and won a lot every time,” Sablan said.

James Sablan, of masters division champion ISAO 67 Old 2 of Nevada, said they have a lot of camaraderie as they have been playing together for a long time.

Sablan said half of the members of ISAO 67 Old 2 are members of the original team from 20 years ago.

Sablan was a member of Natibu, which was among the six teams that competed in the inaugural tournament in 2005. The masters division was included in the tournament only last year.

Sablan, who is the chairman of this year’s tournament, said it’s a very successful event, and the biggest one with 35 total teams.

“So far, no major issues, a lot of good food and a big reunion of everyone from the Marianas. And I’m glad to be able to be part of it and just want to thank everybody to be part of it,” he said.

Sablan is very proud of what they did as the annual tournament has grown significantly.

“It’s the biggest tournament in Vegas. It’s great to be part of that,” he added.

John Schwarz, who is Sablan’s teammate, said to be the host of the three-day tournament and to win the masters’ division and to come in second place for the men’s division means a lot to them.

Jeni Isa Kisa, coach/manager of the women’s division champion LMFAO, said the key to their victory was teamwork and collaboration.

“Everybody in the right spot. We never played together. We just got together. Everyone played the position, made the best, and if they felt like they were struggling, they let someone helped out,” Kisa said.

LMFAO players are based in Washington, Las Vegas, Arizona, Texas, and Saipan.

Former representative Angel A. Demapan, who is the assistant manager of the women’s division second-place 670 Magas Babes Familia Association, said they are the first Saipan-based female team to compete in the tournament.

Demapan said it was a very successful tournament and their team came in at second place, losing the championship game by one run.

“We’re very happy with the turnout. We’re very happy with the way our girls played. Traveling all the way from Saipan and just having one day of preparation, we’re happy with the way they performed. I’m very proud of our team,” he said.