THE Northern Marianas Sports Association, joined by community members, hosted a send-off ceremony on Monday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium for Team Marianas’ 161 delegates who will see action at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau from June 29 to July 9.
Team Marianas athletes will compete in 11 different sports.
Athletics: Andrei Kaithlyn Chavez, Maria Quitugua, Nathania Tan, Lyle Andrew, Simon Tang, Theodore Rodgers, Victor Santos; coaches Zarinae Sapong and Ronald Olopai.
Baseball: Anthony Salas, Anthony Tenorio, Benjamin Jones Jr., Brian Camacho, Darion Jones, Elijah Aughenbaugh, Francisco Lieto, Franko Nakamura, Harry Nakamura Jr., Jerald Cabrera, Jeremiah Suel III, John Sablan, Jose Deleon Guerrero, Joseph Lifoifoi, Joshua Jones, Kevin Villagomez, Lamarc Iguel, Nathan Camacho, Nokki Saralu, Spencer Dickinson; coaches Eric Palacios, Giovanni Mira Jr., Luis Iguel Jr.; team manager James Kintol.
Basketball 3×3: Alliyah Fernandez, Kaia Travilla, Kina Rangamar, Yasmeen Younis, Airson Atan, Chioni Dela Cruz, Ervin Villarin, John Thongaram; coaches Marlene Lumabi, Joaquin Lizama Jr.; team manager Preston Basa.
Beach Volleyball: Andrew Johnson, Logan Mister; athlete/coach Tyce Mister.
Fastpitch Softball: Alannah Sablan, Ashlie Aguon, Britney Gopez, Christy Aldan, Destiny Pangelinan, Florita Billy, Jaylina Borja, Jennifer Dela Cruz, Kenisha Mario, Keolani Rios, Kiana Camacho, Kiana Aldan, Maribel Igitol, Moriah Cabral, Noreen Angui, Regene Palacios, Trina Palacios; coaches Erlinda Naputi, Mariano Aguon, Mark Flores; team manager Manuel Sablan Jr.
Swimming: Davina Litulumar, Frances Raho, Maria Batallones, Maria Guerrero, Nagi Tenorio, Sari Barman, Savita Sikkel, Shoko Litulumar, Isaiah Aleksenko, Juhn Tenorio, Justin Ma, Kean Pajarillaga, Kouki Watanabe, Michael Miller, Moshe Sikkel, Richard Zhao; coaches David Roberto Jr., Dirk Sikkel, Hiroyuki Kimura; team managers Akiko Hagiwara, Hiroko Tenorio, Thu Thi Tran, Yuko Kimura, and John Hirsh.
Triathlon: Nagi Tenorio, Shawna Brennfleck, Terra Allen, Colin Ramsey, Michael Miller, Takeru Jim; coaches Florence Antonio and Leo Atalig Wania.
Va’a: Alana Hayes, Alaysha Fejeran, Ashley Pangelinan, Ava Benavente, Ayessa Tereyama, Dayna Macaranas, Eva Weaver, Guillerma Chong, Jenisha Dubrall, Mai Peters, Victoria Aldan, Caleb Sablan, Carter Calma, Daniel Taitano, Darian Salas, Jommel Shular, Matthew Peters, Michael Peters, Noah Macaranas, Tyler Andrew, Yu Ling Chai; coaches Joseph Weaver and Justin Andrew; team manager Elaine Cabrera.
Indoor Volleyball: Azriel Fatialofa, Beatrice Fabre, Ella Hall, Erica Zandueta, Ha’ani Passi, Jasmine John, Karisse Ong, Katriel Saures, Leilighschigh Rasiang, Zoe Lee, Casey Chambers, Dylan Mister, Jasper Hall, Jermaine Salas, John Nekaifes, John Justo, Omari Joab, Rondelle Apostol, Simon Tang, William Sosa, Yi Sui; coaches Nakashima Nakashima, Ryan Camacho; team manager Shawn Marie Davis.
Weightlifting: Athlete/coach Antonette Labausa, Devine Pua, Riella Ichiuo, Angel San Nicolas, Jaden Andrew, Jason Limes, Joey Colisao, Leowell Cristobal.
Wrestling: Jerick Quimzon, Lincoln Manibusan, Miles Borja, Seth Sablan, Vincent Palacios; coaches Daryn Roufs, Richard Bauer, Ryan Babauta; team manager Jason Tarkong.
Northern Marianas Sports Association President Jerry Tan, in his remarks, reiterated NMSA board’s vision and commitment to the development of sports on the islands and to supporting local athletes.
“As athletes, we always hope to win,” he said. “But the biggest motivation we have as a board is not just about winning medals — it’s making sure we give our athletes the best opportunity to work hard, try hard, train hard, and represent the flag. That is the main goal.”
He noted that Team Marianas had a total of 104 delegates in the 2022 Pacific Mini Games on Saipan. This year, that number has grown to 161, and with the increase in numbers also comes an increase in cost.
Thanks to the support of the community, however, Team Marianas will still be able to participate and represent the CNMI, Tan said.
“Starting with our government and business leaders — they stepped up. No matter how challenging the government’s or the business situation is, they continue to support our efforts,” Tan added
Also offering their remarks during the ceremony were Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang; the administration’s communications and policy advisor John Gonzales; House Speaker Edmund Villagomez; women’s va’a team captain Dayna Macaranas; and chef de mission Nick Gross.
Swimmer Isaiah Aleksenko was named Team Marianas’ flag bearer for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games. He also served as the team’s flag bearer at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.
Team Marianas’ participation to the 2025 Pacific Mini Games is supported by the Office of the Governor, the Saipan & Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, Joeten Daidai Foundation, ASC Trust, Triple J, Tan Holdings, E-Land, Altanx, Quality Distributors, IT&E, Mobil, McDonald’s, Chinese Association on Saipan, GPPC, Marianas Press, Matson, Laolao Bay Golf & Resort, Dial-Rent-To-Own, NMI Local Peace Corps Reunion Committee, Y.K. Corporation, Shell/AFE Marianas LLC, Wushin, I Love Saipan, BC Corporation, Zoom Chicken, and Artman.
Team Marianas poses for a group photo during a send-off ceremony hosted by the Northern Marianas Sports Association at the Ada gym on Monday evening.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
Team Marianas’ flag bearer, Isaiah Aleksenko, waves the CNMI flag during the send-off ceremony hosted by the Northern Marianas Sports Association at the Ada gym on Monday evening.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
Northern Marianas Sports Association President Jerry Tan delivers his remarks during the send-off ceremony hosted by NMSA at the Ada gym on Monday evening.
