Venus happy with tourney success

While congratulating the champions of all five divisions of the recently concluded 2nd Annual DFS-Northern Youth Basketball Invitational, tournament director Abner Venus also gave sponsors and volunteers a lot of props for the successful holding of the weeklong cage competition.

Venus first made mention of volunteers, led by NYBA president Joe Diaz and vice president George Cruz. He said without them, the 2006 edition of the 19-and-under tournament would not have been possible.

Outside of the referees, volunteers included table officials, committee staff, coordinators, and venue marshals—almost all of who were from the youth sector.

Venus also lavished praises to corporate sponsors led by Duty Free Shoppers Saipan, which despite the tough economic times currently being experienced by the Commonwealth were still generous enough to donate money and in-kind items to the tournament.

Aside from DFS, companies that helped bankroll the 2006 NYBA Invitational were Toyota Rent a Car, Coca-Cola Beverage Micornesia, Inc., Aquarius Beach Tower Hotel, MHS Home Care, and government agencies Department of Public Health, Community Guidance Center, and the Division of Sports and Recreation.

Venus went on to say that through the various contributions of the volunteers and sponsors, the 2nd Annual DFS-NYBA Invitational went on without a hitch.

He said for an all-volunteer undertaking he was quite proud that everyone pitched in his or her share for the betterment of the youth on the island through sports.

A total of 26 teams in five divisions took part in the tournament that ran from Nov. 19 to 24 at the Gilbert C. Ada and Marianas High School gymnasiums.

Reigning supreme in the Division I Boys’ 12-and-under division were the Garapan Rollers, who defeated Guam’s Agat Lakers 32-30 in a hard-fought game.

Division II for boys 13-15 years old, meanwhile, was won by the San Antonio Sixers after edging Southern Sonics, 82-80, in another exciting championship game.

Saipan’s 670 team, for its part, took home the diadem in the boys’ 19-and-under Division III age group after turning back Sonics in the finale.

The girls’ corner was no less exciting, as Garapan Rollers won one and lost one in the finals. The G crew crowned themselves champions in the 15-and-under category, but settled for second against the Agat Lakes in the 19-and-under age group.

The 2006 DFS-NYBA Invitational was also supported by World Resort Hotel, Office of the Mayor of Saipan, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota municipal councils, Office of the Senate President and Vice President, Office of Speaker Oscar Babauta, Office of Vice Speaker Justo Quitugua, Office of Sen. Maria Pangelinan, Office of Reps. Ray Tebuteb, Arnold Palacios, Ray Yumul, Martin Ada, Joseph DL Guerrero, Stanley Torres, Absalon Waki Jr., Florencio DL Guerrero, Cinta Kaipat, Manuel Tenorio, and Joseph Mendiola.