THE CNMI All-Stars’ Juniors and Majors teams are set to take their turn on the international stage as they travel to Hwaseung Dream Park, South Korea today, Thursday, to compete in the 2025 Little League Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Tournament, scheduled from June 27 to July 3.
CNMI Juniors All-Stars
Austin Camacho (Marlins), Caleb Cabrera (Ol’Aces), Leighton Tenorio (Ol’Aces), Aiken Norita (Braves), Zekiel Falig (Braves), Ethan Dikito (Blue Jays), Kaleb Reyes (Braves), Tatum Jones (Ol’Aces), Donray Barcinas (Braves), Tiwsormal Taisakan (Ol’Aces), Eric Palacios Jr. (Ol’Aces), Payton Palacios (Ol’Aces), and Kayden Lizama (Braves).
Coaching staff: Vincent Camacho Jr. (Manager), Antonio Camacho (Head Coach), Ned Norita (Assistant Coach).
Team CNMI will debut in the junior division against India this Friday at 2 p.m., followed by games against Hong Kong on Sunday at 10 a.m., and Japan on Monday at 10 a.m.
CNMI Majors All-Stars
Lashawn Ada (Cobras), Elijah Babauta (Braves), Dylan Barcinas (Braves), Byron Cruz Jr. (Comets), Denzel Kaipat (Cobras), Skyler Leon Guerrero (Braves), Dayton Marchadesch (Braves), Nathan Nekai (Braves), Xavier Nepaial (Cobras), Carlos Rivera Jr. (Dodgers), Damian Sablan (Braves), Lennox Sablan (Ol’Aces), Liam Sablan (Ol’Aces), and Khoen Torres (Cubs).
Coaching staff: Nicolas Nekai Jr. (Manager), Benjamin Junior Palacios (Head Coach), Clinton Ngiraked (Assistant Coach).
The Majors team will open against the Philippines on Friday at 3 p.m., then face Thailand on Saturday at 10 a.m., Indonesia on Sunday at 4 p.m., New Zealand on Monday at 3 p.m., and wrap up group play against American Samoa on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Expectations and preparation
Majors team manager Nicolas Nekai Jr. shared his expectations heading into the competition.
“I’m expecting great competition — we’ve been out of it for a while — so I’m not expecting anything less from the other countries. At the end of the day, they have more experience with this tournament, and I only have one year of experience with these guys,” Nekai told Variety.
“Our team is very fresh. This is their first [regional] tournament, so I’m expecting great games.”
The team has been training together for over a month. Including their ongoing Little League season, the players have been honing their skills year-round.
“I believe we are prepared for this,” Nekai said. “Our strength is our connection and chemistry. We know our strengths and weaknesses, and that helps us support and lift each other up.”
Send-off and community support
During a send-off ceremony on Monday, both CNMI teams were given a warm farewell. They posed for group photos with Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang and received best wishes from the community, family, and supporters.
The CNMI Junior All-Stars pose for a photo with Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang during the Northern Marianas Sports Association’s Team Marianas send-off ceremony at the Ada gym on Monday.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
The CNMI Major All-Stars pose for a photo with Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang during the Northern Marianas Sports Association’s Team Marianas send-off ceremony at the Ada gym on Monday.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
