{"id":256246,"date":"2017-07-13T06:02:58","date_gmt":"2017-07-12T20:02:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=256246"},"modified":"2017-07-13T06:02:58","modified_gmt":"2017-07-12T20:02:58","slug":"3x3-included-mibfs-calendar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/3x3-included-mibfs-calendar\/","title":{"rendered":"3×3 to be included in MIBF\u2019s calendar"},"content":{"rendered":"
Mt. Carmel School\u2019s Joseph Muna, right, unloads a shot against NMI Rollers\u2019 June Alipio during the second quarter of their playoff game in the boys U18 division of the Diaz youth caging last week at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. Mariana Islands Basketball Federation sanctions the youth league and will also hold 3×3 tournaments next season. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the growing popularity of 3×3 basketball in the world, Mariana Islands Basketball Federation will add the sport to their calendar of events for next season.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re looking at holding 3×3 tournaments in the men\u2019s and women\u2019s divisions in the open category and various age groups. Majority of the member-countries of FIBA Oceania have been consistently sending teams to regular tournaments in the region and hopefully we could do that, too,\u201d MIBF development officer Elias Rangamar said.<\/p>\n

FIBA Oceania holds 3×3 competitions for men\u2019s and women\u2019s open, and U18 and U23 age groups. There are also two events held every year for the open division\u2014the 3×3 Pacific Championships and 3×3 Oceania Championships. Last year, Guam defeated New South Wales, 11-9, to top the Pacific Championships held in Gold Coast, Australia.<\/p>\n

In the world stage, the International Olympic Committee\u2019s executive board announced last month the inclusion of 3×3 in the basketball program for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. World Cup events are also held regularly for 3×3.<\/p>\n

Rangamar is positive that the CNMI will be able to send teams to FIBA Oceania competitions once MIBF starts hosting regular 3×3 tournaments next year.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s much easier to send teams for 3×3 because you will only need four players (maximum) and one coach. The costs of fielding a 3×3 squad is obviously cheaper than having a 12-man roster in the regular basketball tournament,\u201d Rangamar said.<\/p>\n

To get the ball rolling, MIBF has committed on bringing a men\u2019s team to the 3×3 contest in the 2017 Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu this December. A qualifying tournament will be held to determine the Commonwealth\u2019s representative to the Mini Games.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Joe Diaz, who coaches a pool of players at NMI Rollers, welcomed the addition of 3×3 tournaments to MIBF\u2019s calendar. He said that 3×3 basketball gives a player more opportunities to improve his individual skills.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am excited and I am sure my players are, too. We will definitely join these 3×3 tournaments,\u201d the long-time coach said.<\/p>\n

MIBF will be shopping for outdoor courts around Saipan for venues for its 3×3 tournaments, while the group will also coordinate with Tinian and Rota so that they could also hold their own competitions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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