The picks who will be competing in Guam next month with teams from other Pacific countries and territories are now in their second week of rigid practice after being selected from among 19 aspiring players in tryout games that started a few months ago.
CNMI, Aguon said has been participating in the said tournament in other divisions since early 70s, and the height of players had always been a challenge.
To the best of their ability, the coach said NMI’s young men are determined to win in every game against much taller opponents.
The Oceania basketball tournament is participated in by Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and other Pacific territories with naturally taller players compared to Micronesian islanders.
It is going to the NMI’s first time to send boys and girls team in the 19-and-under to the Oceania basketball tournament after being invited following the NMI’s participation in the Marianas Invitational Basketball Tournament last year.
So with all they got, Aguon said the NMI team, both boys and girls will have to take the challenge in Oceania caging.
Six of the draft picks for the tournament are veterans. They are Jericho Cruz, Marvin Rabauliman, Allen Moses, Javen Tarkong, William Babauta and Antonio Borja.
The rookies include Joseph “Dimps” White who was awarded Mt. Carmel School Knights’ most valuable player in the recently held Coalition of Private Schools Sports Association Basketball League and Jose Castro who played in the Marianas High School Dolphins in the Mariana Islands Interscholastic Sports Organization’s Basketball Tournament last year.
Coach Aguon and team manager Ed Manalili also picked five rookies as alternates. They are Rainier Deleon Guerrero, Edward Manalili, Lawrence Deleon Guerrero, Heartim Williams and John Villagomez.
These boys, except Babauta and Borja had been undergoing training since the tryout started months ago at the Northern Marianas High School.
Aguon said Babauta and Borja who go to University of Guam are doing their own workouts there.
The two veteran players he said will continue training with the team when they meet there in Guam at least prior to the tournament.
