With Saipan Mayor Donald Flores, Tinian Mayor Ray Dela Cruz and Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider as special guests, the Masters Basketball will also honor eight past players who made significant contributions to the NMI basketball before they passed away.
They are Tony Borja, Gerald Ferritti, Nick Loste, Ric Alegre, James Tanaka, George Benavente, Tom Barcinas and Pete Techur.
The Masters Basketball Federation of Northern Mariana Islands will also be recognized.
The board of directors is composed of Ray B. Lizama as chairman, Joe M. Pangelinan, vice chairman, Scott Norman, secretary and Yosh Gabaldon, Treasurer.
The committee officers are Abner Venus, Arnold Mesa, Arnold Erediano, Bruce Berline, Yasu Irinaka, Dexter Mendiola, Norman Del Rosario and Dante Olivos.
Public Health medical director, Richard Brostrom who is also an avid basketball aficionado will close the ceremony with his own remarks before two teams will play Game No. 1 to launch the league for 35 and older.
Board chairman Lizama said the opening day will be a historic one because it is going to be the first time that a basketball league is being conducted by Masters’ sports organization.
For so many years, he said Masters Basketball have not had its own organization.
Lizama recalled that in the late 90s to early 2000, efforts were made to organize Masters Basketball league.
However, Lizama explained that sports leagues for veteran players or athletes have to be taken care by a group organized by people their own age.
“Now that it is formed, it can now decide its own fate,” Lizama said, adding that the MBFNMI plans to have leagues for 40-and-above, 45A and 50A in the near future.
In behalf of the Masters board of directors and the officers, Lizama is extending it sincerest appreciation and thanks to all the sponsors that helped a lot to make the league possible. He also thanks those who form board of directors for their dedication to have the Masters Basketball.
