By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE Northern Youth Basketball Association has announced the date for its biggest tournament of the year, the 2007 DFS/SAIPANCELL Annual NYBA Invitational.
The second edition of the Invitational will run from July 16 to 28 and with its new schedule NYBA is hoping that this year’s tournament will have an even bigger turnout.
Last year, the inaugural Invitational was held in the last week of November with 10 Guam teams, one from Rota and five from Tinian challenging more than 20 Saipan teams.
This year, more teams from Guam and Rota are expected to join the tournament because the school year will be over when the Invitational kicks off.
NYBA president Joe Diaz added that they are still waiting for confirmation from teams in Japan, Korea and the Philippines.
The G-Rollers are the defending champions in the girls’ 18-and-under and co-ed 12-and-under divisions. Other winners in last year’s Invitational were the Sixers (boys’ 13 to 15) and 670 (boys’ 16 to 19).
Meanwhile, NYBA is now entertaining inquires about the Invitational.
It has also released the requirements for the annual caging.
On-island teams will pay $175 if they make payment on or before June 1. The advanced registration fee for off-island squads is $300.
The late registration fee (until June 16) for on-island teams is $275 and $475 for off-island squads.
Aside from the payment of entrance fees, interested teams must also submit a copy of player insurance cards player authorization and waiver forms, copies of birth certificates or passports, team photos and a drug-free pledge.
Special requirements for on-island teams are also set. Coaches must submit a grade/attendance verification certificate for each player. Coaches and players are also required to attend a series of clinics.
For more information, contact Joe Diaz at 233-4646 or via email at nyba-cnmi@hotmail.com.