Ada, Borja thank sponsors, volunteers

The CNMI District Administrator and the director of the 2008 Asia-Pacific Regional Little League Tournament agree that the six-day tournament was a rousing success.

However, James Ada and Mike Borja said they would be the last to claim credit for the tournament’s smooth sailing and in fact thanked the volunteers and the sponsors for donating their precious time and money.

Ada, for one, thanked the many businesses that contributed to the tournament, namely Wilson Sporting Goods, Tan Holdings Corp., Saipan Grand Hotel, PTI, Shell Marianas, Digital Motion Video Production, Roselle & Zest Enterprises, Elite Printing, Pacific Trading Co., and businessman Juan S. Tenorio.

The district administrator for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota also acknowledged the help extended by government agencies headed by the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Lt. Governor, Office of the Washington Representative, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Department of Public Works, Marians Visitors Authority, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Division of Sports Recreation, Reps. Ed Salas, Ray Palacios, Rosemond Santos, Department of Public Safety, Department of Public Health, Commonwealth Utilities Corp., Public School System, Department of Public Works, and Emergency Management Services.

He also thanked KMCV, Marianas Variety, and the Saipan Tribune for the coverage they gave to the 2008 Asia-Pacific Regional Little League Tournament.

Borja, for his part, extended his gratitude to the ASPAC players and their parents, coaches, managers, and volunteers for all their hand work during the tournament.

He made special mention assistant district administrators Tony Rogolifoi and Cathy S. Salas, umpire adviser Robert Guerrero, technical members Joe S. Salas and Tony Rogolifoi, facilities head Joey Dela Cruz, safety officer Ben Taitano, transportation staff Steve Pangelinan and Gus Aldan, traffic head Jerry Ayuyu, and tournament committee members Elizabeth S. Ada, Rose Tenorio, Terry DL. Guerrero, Annie DLG. Guerrero, Geraldine Sablan, and Gary Camacho.

The two however acknowledged that there were some speed bumps along the way, noting that shenanigans off the baseball field were more the responsibility of team managers than the district administrator and the tournament director.

Ada also said that protests are also always part of any tournament and the important thing was that the tournament director was able to resolve them.

The 2008 Asia-Pacific Regional Little League Tournament saw the Philippines rule the Junior and Senior League by beating the CNMI in identical scores of 7-6. The CNMI then won one for the home crowd when they beat the Philippines, 8-7, in the Big League.