{"id":184458,"date":"2014-11-10T04:00:33","date_gmt":"2014-11-09T18:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=184458"},"modified":"2014-11-10T04:00:33","modified_gmt":"2014-11-09T18:00:33","slug":"mendoza-offered-two-basketball-scholarships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/mendoza-offered-two-basketball-scholarships\/","title":{"rendered":"Mendoza offered two basketball scholarships"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Marianas<\/a>
Marianas High School student Kobee Mendoza, right, poses for a photo with former CNMI National Team member and now pro basketball player Jericho Cruz during the former\u2019s visit in Manila, Philippines early this year. (Contributed Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nMarianas High School junior student Kobee Mendoza received full scholarships offers from two schools in the Philippines. <\/p>\n

The 16-year-old has the option to attend Colegio de San Juan de Letran, on a full ride athletic scholarship, or Adamson University with a full ride athletic scholarship covering his high school and first 4 years of college tuition after graduating. Letran is a member of the oldest athletics association in the Philippines\u2014the National Collegiate Athletic Association\u2014while Adamson is playing in the more prestigious University Athletic Association of the Philippines.<\/p>\n

The Saipan native has yet to make a decision as to whether he\u2019ll accept either offer, as he would have to fall back to the 10th grade if he wishes to attend high school in the Philippines, due to residential matters. <\/p>\n

\u201cAs of right now, I\u2019m undecided. I have up to next year to give my decision,\u201d he told Saipan Tribune. <\/p>\n

Mendoza is a well-known basketball player on island and has been involved in many local and regional basketball tournaments. He first fell in love with the sport in the 5th grade as a member of the San Vicente Canaries. He then joined the G-Stars, where he was coached by Jose Tumaquip. After his first game on the court, the young student made his athletic debut in the 7th grade when he tried out for the CNMI U15 Junior National Team that represented the islands in Palau during the Micronesian Basketball Tournament.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the time, I really just did it for recreation. A few months later I got picked to go down with a 7-man squad to Palau. It was an unforgettable experience,\u201d Mendoza said.<\/p>\n

Not long after his inaugural national team experience, Mendoza got back on the court to play for Proa for two years. Mendoza remains active in several other basketball competitions and was a part of IT&E\u2019s recent basketball championship win in an adult league.<\/p>\n

Mendoza is also a renowned athlete on campus as he plays for the school\u2019s varsity team which topped last season\u2019s island-wide MISO basketball league. He is also a recipient of three Most Valuable Player awards.<\/p>\n

He draws his commitment, passion, and dedication to the sport from his father, Edsel Mendoza, a former CNMI national player. He also attributes his success to his mother, Clarice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are the most supportive parents in the world. My dad is my number one fan. I am grateful for everything he does for the family,\u201d he added. \u201cI have been around the game so long since my dad was a basketball player.\u201d<\/p>\n

The younger Mendoza also told the Saipan Tribune that professional basketball player Jericho Cruz also serves as an inspiration.<\/p>\n

\u201cJericho Cruz inspires me. His success is inspiring. His growth and work ethic are amazing. Jericho and I definitely have an older brother-little brother relationship,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Staying fit and being active in sports fill his schedule during the week, but Mendoza still manages to succeed in his academics.<\/p>\n

\u201cAcademics has always been important to me. I strive for as much as I can. I spend most of my evenings doing schoolwork on most days of the week. Squeezing in afternoon workouts and games are the hardest part of training,\u201d he said. \u201dOn Monday, Wednesday and Fridays I focus on strength and conditioning. On the other days of the week I spend my free time on the court. So really, the hardest part of being a student athlete is managing time and working with practice schedules.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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