(NMSA) — The Northern Marianas Sports Association announces the Athletes/Team of the Month for June, highlighting the excellence of three athletes and a team.
The awardees are eligible to be named Athletes/Team of the Year and will be recognized at the annual NMSA awards banquet.
June was highlighted by the Tinian and Marianas International Basketball League 3v3 Basketball Tournament 2, Northern Marianas Athletics Track and Field Open Meet, and TanHoldings Badminton Team Tournament.
The awardees for June are:
Female Student
Athlete of the Month
Fiona Bucalig – Basketball
Fiona Bucalig, the team captain for the Lady Rollers, demonstrated outstanding leadership in the Summer Heat 3v3 Basketball Tournament held at the Tinian Gymnasium and the Marianas International Basketball League 3v3 Season 2 Tournament held at the Marianas High School Gymnasium in June. Fiona takes the initiative to help her fellow teammates, guiding them on both offense and defense. Fiona has great instincts and is always one step ahead of her teammates and the opposition. She led the team to win the 3v3 tournament in Tinian. Fiona is a senior at Mount Carmel High School. Aside from basketball, she also plays soccer and volleyball. Fiona is a both a superb athlete and an outstanding leader.
Male Student
Athlete of the Month
Cristobal Dela Cruz – Athletics
During the Northern Marianas Athletics Track & Field Open Meet, 15-year-old Cristobal Dela Cruz surprised everyone in the 100m sprint competition by winning the race with a time of 12.65 seconds. He entered the 18 & under division race, but ended up winning overall. He achieved this result running barefoot.
Female Athlete of the Month
Zarinae Sapong – Athletics
During the Northern Marianas Athletics Track and Field Open Meet, Zarinae Sapong ran a season best of 13.42 seconds, winning the women’s open division, her first competition in more than a year since most regional events in athletics have been postponed or cancelled due to the current global pandemic. Although she trains 6 times a week, she still finds time to mentor the under 18 squad, helping them improve their skills. She enjoys spending her time coaching and guiding youth athletes. If she is not on the track competing, Zarinae also volunteers her time officiating.
Male Athlete of the Month
Andreau Galvez – Badminton
Andreau Galvez is the team captain of the Shirley’s Badminton Club which ruled the TanHoldings Badminton Team Tournament 2021 held last June 11 and 12. Andreau partnered with five different players in the mixed doubles and men’s and women’s doubles events. He played with four of them for the first time and, though it was a challenge to know each other’s game, through Andreau’s leadership and experience, he was able to lead his teammates to victories. Andreau finished the competition unbeaten and was the only player in the tournament to earn a perfect record (5-0). Andreau was also among the volunteer coaches that conducted a series of badminton clinics through the Shuttle Time Program at various schools in June. Andreau, a Northern Marianas Badminton Association director, brought badminton to students at Green Meadow School, Mt. Carmel School, Marianas High School, Saipan Community School, Saipan International School, and Saipan Southern High School. Currently, Andreau is training for the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022, as he hopes to have the honor to represent the CNMI again at the regional competition. He was a member of the CNMI National Team that competed in the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa and was among the first players to form a youth squad under NMBA’s club system.
Team of the Month
Shirley’s Badminton Club
Shirley’s Badminton Club topped Northern Marianas Badminton Association’s first competition for 2021 — the TanHoldings Badminton Team Tournament. Players for the club were selected via random draw and, for nearly half of the 15 total players (8 men and 7 women) of Shirley’s Badminton Club, this was their first ever badminton tournament. Despite the lack of playing experience, Shirley’s Badminton Club pulled off an upset in the competition. The team collected 50 points in the round-robin tournament to beat the Golden Racquets (37), Taga Badminton Club (35), United Badminton Club (29), and Community Badminton Club (28).
Fiona Bucalig
Cristobal Dela Cruz
Zarinae Sapong
Andreau Galvez
Shirley’s Badminton Club
