{"id":414575,"date":"2024-10-30T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-30T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=414575"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Inter-gov-t-biz-league-underway-Priority-Care-gets-1st-dibs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Inter-gov-t-biz-league-underway-Priority-Care-gets-1st-dibs\/","title":{"rendered":"Inter gov\u2019t\/biz league underway; Priority Care gets 1st dibs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2nd Annual R&J Wine and Liquor Inter-Gov\u2019t\/Business League 2024 went underway last Monday with a parade of teams and an opening game at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.<\/p>\n

About 30 minutes after the opening ceremony attended by Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, Northern Marianas Sports Association president Jerry Tan, Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation president James Lee, and NMIBF members, the league opened with the first game between defending champions PSS and second place Priority Care.<\/p>\n

Apatang tossed the ceremonial jump ball before a group photo that signaled the start of the league.<\/p>\n

The opening game was a finals rematch between PSS and Priority Care. Priority Care sought vengeance and got the taste of victory, 78-59, after falling short last season.<\/p>\n

This time around, Priority Care was a force to be reckoned with and took it out all on the court against the educators that schooled them. Priority Care controlled the game early on as their starting five\u2019s defense was impenetrable.<\/p>\n

PSS could not get their footing right and Priority Care had a double-digit lead just a few minutes in. At the end of the first, they were up by 20, 25-5. Priority Care\u2019s Steve King then took it upon himself to extend their lead from downtown with three back-to-back threes to open up the second quarter.<\/p>\n

He went on a shooting rampage from there with help from Ray Agulto and Marvin Rebauliman. Meanwhile, PSS tried to get going and managed to put up double digits, but by then, Priority Care\u2019s lead was insurmountable.<\/p>\n

By the end of the second, Priority Care led, 47-26. After a disappointing first half, PSS regrouped and tried to come out stronger in the second half. However, the duo of Melvin Sakisat and Mii Tekopua wasn\u2019t enough to overcome Priority Care\u2019s dominance on the court.<\/p>\n

In the end, King blew everyone out of the water with 42 points, while Rabauliman was the only other player in double digits with 11. As for PSS, Sakisat put up 17, while Tekopua was right behind at 16 points.<\/p>\n

The 12 teams in the league are PSS, Priority Care, Docomo Pacific, IT&E, Marpac, CUC, E-Land, CPA, Foremost-Coca Cola\/Subway, DFEMS, Feds, and CHCC.<\/p>\n

Games are every Monday, Tuesday, and some Wednesdays at 6pm and 7:30pm; and Saturday at 3pm and 4:30pm\u2014all at the Ada Gym.<\/p>\n

Entrance fee for general admission is $3, while VIP is $6.<\/p>\n

In the opening ceremony remarks of Apatang before the first game, he bid the teams to have fun.<\/p>\n

As for Tan in his remarks, he said, \u201cI just want to acknowledge the support coming from the 12 teams, because it\u2019s not free, right? And it\u2019s been raining a lot lately, as we all know. So, it\u2019s pretty cool to be sitting here tonight, enjoying the air con, even for the spectators, and you don\u2019t have to worry about the rest of the season, because all of you will be playing in this Ada Gym, which we\u2019re so happy that we\u2019re able to put an air con. We\u2019re really, really happy to see all of you taking your time and interest to continue playing your favorite game called basketball. So good luck to the season and just keep enjoying the season until mid-January.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then, the league commissioner, NMIBF\u2019s Marlene Lumabi, said, \u201cToday, we celebrate not just the game, but the spirit of teamwork, dedication, and community that basketball embodies. As we lace up our sneakers and hit the court, let\u2019s take a moment to reflect on what this season means. It\u2019s not just about points on the scoreboard, it\u2019s about the friendships we\u2019ll forge, the lessons we\u2019ll learn and the memories we\u2019ll create. Every practice and game is an opportunity to grow, not just as players, but as individuals\u2026 Play with heart, respect your opponents, and, most importantly, have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Priority Care 78 \u2013<\/strong> King 42, Rabauliman 11, Agulto 9, Aldan 8, Elameto 6, Maratita 2.<\/p>\n

PSS 59 \u2013<\/strong> Sakisat 17, Tekopua 16, Pineda 9, Itibus 5, Basa 2, Guinto 2, Pascual 2, Mendiola 2, Mendez 2, #2 2.<\/p>\n

Scoring by quarters:<\/strong> 25-5, 47-26, 59-44, 78-59.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, center, gets ready to toss the ceremonial jump ball in the opening ceremony of the 2nd Annual R&J Wine and Liquor Inter-Gov\u2019t\/Business League 2024 last Monday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

PSS\u2019 Mii Tekopua, right, and Priority Care\u2019s Marvin Rabauliman go up for the jump ball in the opening game of the 2nd Annual R&J Wine and Liquor Inter-Gov\u2019t\/Business League 2024 last Monday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Priority Care poses for a group photo during the parade of teams in the opening ceremony of the 2nd Annual R&J Wine and Liquor Inter-Gov\u2019t\/Business League 2024 last Monday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation\u2019s league commissioner Marlene Lumabi, makes her remarks in the 2nd Annual R&J Wine and Liquor Inter-Gov\u2019t\/Business League 2024 last Monday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.<\/p>\n

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