PACRIM tourney kicks off

After months of anticipation, the battle for supremacy in the 3rd Annual Pacific Rim Youth Goodwill Tournament finally got underway yesterday, with over 300 teens from various islands making their bids for the coveted perpetual trophies in their respective divisions.

Teams from Saipan, Rota, Tinian, Guam, and the Republic of Marshalls will spend the next week seeing action in basketball and volleyball.

In all, 23 teams registered to take the basketball hardcourt of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, while 16 teams are in for bumps, sets, and kills at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

“When we first started this, we wanted to provide a forum where kids from around the region can get together and play in a friendly tournament, as well as discuss issues dealing with the youth today like drugs, suicide, and peer pressure,” said tournament chair Fermin Meriang. “It’s getting bigger and bigger each year, and even though several teams pulled out at the last minute due to various reasons, we still have a good turnout and exciting week to look forward to.”

According to Meriang, teams from Yap, Pohnpei, and Palau showed interest in participating in the tourney; however, they pulled out just days before the actual kick off.

Two age divisions are set per sport, with volleyball adding a girl’s division.

Division I features participants between the ages of 12-14 years, while Division II is for players between ages 15-18 years.

Division I teams for basketball include the Oyea and SYBAA Guam, and 69ers, Sixers II, G-Rollers I and II, Hopwood Junior High School Blue and II, House of Manhoben, and Matansa Sparks of Saipan.

Basketball Division II teams include Merizo and SYBAA of Guam, Team Luta, Team Tinian, and Ol’Aces, G-Rollers I, II, and III, House of Manhoben, Chalan Kanoa Saints, Sixers, 69ers, and Sparks.

“I welcome all the teams, let us have a lot of fun and play the game with hard work and effort, but most importantly, maintain the integrity of the game,” said basketball commissioner Gabriel White.

Volleyball in the boy’s 12-14 age category includes Grace Christian Academy of Tinian, Team Guam, and Hopwood Junior High School White and Blue.

The boy’s 15-18 category features Tinian, Guam, Saipan Southern High School, and Shag.

The girls’ competition include Tinian Youth, Saipan Southern High School, She-Devils, Marshalls I and II, Dragons, SunSetters, and Grace Christian Academy of Tinian.

All teams were introduced during a brief opening ceremony attended by parents, supporters, and several government officials including Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs secretary Juan L. Babauta, special assistant for Youth Affairs Florence Kirby, and Guam Department of Chamorro Affairs Board of Trustees chair Raymond R. Quintanilla, among others.

Organizers indicated that no game will be played on Thanksgiving Day as all teams, officials, and supporters will be treated to a special brunch at Kilili Beach from 10am to 2pm.

“This is an off day and an opportunity for the kids to get together and get to know one another and basically mingle and make friends,” Meriang said. After lunch, maybe some will want to go sightseeing or shopping, so no games will be held.”

An awards banquet will also be held Saturday night at the Pacific Islands Club. The Top 3 teams will receive trophies, while most valuable players from each division will be selected.