Hardcourt champions crowned, swimmers shine
While the NCAA enjoys its thrilling tournament, March Madness also invaded the local hardcourts as two teams emerged as champions.
On Sunday, Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense-Flor Miranda/C&J Sign bagged its fourth title, winning the Budweiser-Coca Cola 6th UFO Inter-Organizational Basketball League with a 95-86 victory over Cabalen-Rp Construction/Transamerica at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
Team veteran Edsel Mendoza was recognized as the most valuable player, leading a list of top caliber players who left the venue with individual awards.
Just several days later, the Marianas High School Lady Dolphins won their third title in four years and second straight in the MISA High School Basketball League, beating the Saipan Southern High School Lady Rays, 47-32, on their home court.
Just hours later, the Manta Rays returned to the top as they dethroned the Mt. Carmel School Knights in a thrilling overtime finish that had March Madness written all over it, 85-77.
It was also championship week in the World Organized Rocball High School League as Ochobu stunned defending champion Mwaliyas by taking Game 1 of their best-of-five series with a victory in o-kon.
Mwaliyas came back strong in Game 2 and despite trailing after each of the first three sets, dominated the fourth set and leveled the series with a 53-52 victory.
Also well deserving of recognition was the 28th Annual Saipan International Ocean Swim as almost 150 swimmers put their endurance to the test by tackling one of the four courses off the shores of the Saipan World Resort—600m, 1K, 1.3K, and 2.5K.
Action also continued in the Saipan Major League, Saipan Little League, Island-wide Village Youth Basketball League, and Inter-Government Basketball League.
