HANMI Cup kicks off today

The 2006-2007 HANMI Cup-Inter-Hotel Basketball League will kick off as planned today with nine teams taking part in the revival of the competition among the big players in the island’s hospitality industry.

Aqua Resort Club will be the team to beat in the 2006-2007 season, as the Achugao hotel is loaded with UFO veterans led by 6’3” behemoth Dalewin Cortez, fellow six-footers Darwin Barbo and Glenn Aquino, speedsters Chris Domingo and Ziddy Johannes, and newcomers Ryan Sanciangco and Cesar Ambrocio.

While Aqua Resort will most definitely finish the season unscathed, teams that could give the team a hard time include Saipan Nikko Hotel, Fiesta Resort and Spa, and Pacific Islands Club.

Nikko is a team built around center Ronald Delos Reyes, forwards Art Salazar and Keith Isip, and veteran playmaker Elmer Pineda.

Fiesta, on the other hand, will be fielding the core of the 2005 Mobil Oil Marianas Co-ed Invitational Basketball League champion spearheaded by that year’s MVP Elmer Esdrelon, center Roland Galag, whipped-quick guard Adonis Macoto, and sharpshooter Ariel Jinang.

Pacific Islands Club will have a tall and experienced team with the likes 6’4” Chad Capps, 6’0” Michael Catacutan, and 5’11” Derek Apasan supplying the former and the likes of Richard Pambid, Raymond Tolentino, James Abuy, and Amor Zapata providing the latter.

Other teams competing in the 2006 HANMI Cup include Hafadai Beach Hotel, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Marianas Resort and Spa, Saipan Grand Hotel, and Saipan World Resort.

Hafadai will lean on the young and athletic duo of Pete Iguel and Jack Lizama, while Hyatt boasts of UFO vets Cris Calub, Edmark Mendoza, and Michael Umali.

Marianas Resort has ex-Treasure Island cager in the defunct IHRBL, Jayson Gatdula, in its fold, while Grand Hotel will lean on hardworking center Ferdie Dela Torre, versatile forward William Opone, burly swingman Dindo Pablo, and heady guard Shan Seman.

HANMI Cup commissioner Ramon Awit earlier said that today’s opening will include the usual parade of teams, best muse and best in uniform competitions, pledge of sportsmanship as well as the unexpected—magicians, acapella entertainment, and performers in superhero garb.

The HANMI Cup commissioner also said that Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands chairwoman Lynn Knight, Philippine Consul General Wilfredo Maximo, and Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry Tenorio are expected to grace the event.

Awit also extended his thanks to the MDX Amateur Radio Club, led by its president Boy Ching, for agreeing to help with manpower needs not only during opening day but through the course of the season as well.

Organizers will have a draw to determine which of the participating teams will see action in the lone game set to tip off at 3pm.

After the game, a barbecue potluck party will be held at the Minatchom Atdao Pavillion across the Oleai Sports Complex.

The Inaugural HANMI Cup, organized by the NMBA with endorsement from HANMI, is expected to last three months with the champion crowned by early next year.

For more information or for hotels still interested in taking part in the revived HANMI Cup-Inter-Hotel Basketball League, contact coordinator Mark Rabago at 235-2440 local 134 or email him at makyo73yahoo.com or mark_rabago@saipantribune.com.