Stage set to crown 3-on-3 champs

The stage is all set for the crowning of the 2005 2nd Annual 3-on-3 Back 2 School Street Basketball Jam as organizers are currently putting on the final touches before the championship round unfolds tomorrow at the Susupe Civic Center Basketball Court.

This according to Department Public Health’s Roxanne Diaz, who disclosed during an interview yesterday that all prizes and awards are already set for the presentation and the only thing needed is for the teams to settle their battles on the hardcourt.

According to Diaz, the champions of the 14-and-under and 18-and-boys divisions, as well as the 18-and-under girls division will not only receive a year’s worth of bragging rights, they will also be presented prizes including $125, $10 movie gift certificates for each player in the cast, Street Jam T-shirts and towels, Powerade T-shirts, and a basketball.

Runners-up for each division will receive $75, a basketball, Street Jam shirts and towels, and Powerade T-shirts, while third-place finishers will receive $50, a basketball, Street Jam shirts and towels, and Powerade T-shirts.

All top three finishers of each divisions will also be presented trophies.

Officials will also select most valuable players from each division, with the MVPs receiving a trophy, a $25 gift certificate courtesy of Joeten, a Street Jam T-shirt, and towel.

Diaz said not all is lost for those who do not place in the top three of their divisions as all teams will receive a basketball, certificates, T-shirts, and towels.

She said special prizes will also be awarded to the shortest player, oldest player, and youngest player, among others.

“All the prizes are donations and not just the Community Guidance Center, Women’s Affairs Office, Division of Public Health and all the organizers pulling our resources,” Diaz said. “Most of the things are donated by different businesses and also members of the Legislature.”

Diaz said a half-court shootout will also be held. She said renovation of the venue will also be completed by today.

“We’re cleaning up the court, renovating, painting, and RP Construction is donating bleachers, so that’s a big contribution.”

Diaz said that if Mother Nature does not cooperate tomorrow, all activities—including the Family Fitness Fair, which coincides with the event at the Civic Center—will be moved to the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

“So far, everything is great and hopefully the weather turns out great as well. We have tons of balls that we’re giving out as prizes even just by visiting the exhibits from the Family Fitness Fair, so I hope the community takes advantage of this,” Diaz said.

Games are expected to begin at 9am.

A total of 39 teams took up the challenge during last Saturday’s preliminary round.

Of the nearly 40 teams, 18 came from the 18-and-under teams, 16 from the 14-and-under division, and five were from the girls’ 18-and-under teams.

Tinian I, Karahu, Eat It, Ballerz, Mix Breed, San Antonio I, San Antonio II, and Dynasty advanced to the top of the 18-and-under list, while Dribblers 2, Hopwood, Saipan Heats, Southside, Fantastic Five, Shooting Stars, G-Riders, and Tinian earned a bid in the 14-and-under division. On the girls side all five of the teams got invitations to the dance as Taya Fear, CNMI Ballers, Stormin’ Mormons, Ol’ Aces, and Bonitas will compete for the title of top team.