Cruz and Camacho who played in the 2009 FIBA Oceania Basketball Tournament from June 21 to 26 were nominated by the Basketball Association of Northern Mariana Islands during the Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association’s meeting at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym Conference Room last week.
They were unanimously voted by the members.
Cruz was recognized for his outstanding individual performance during the Oceania caging.
In CNMI men’s attempt to stop power houses, Australia and New Caledonia during the last two games of the tournament, Cruz exerted great efforts.
He tallied 13 points in a match against Australia and eight points against New Caledonia for an average of 14 points per game. In all games, he basketed seven three-pointers, grabbed 12 rebounds dished out five assists, picked eight steals and foiled attempts with three blocks. He also fired 13 of his 18 free throws.
Cruz was voted by all head coaches of participating countries to be named among the Men’s All Star 5 selection team during the closing ceremony of the Oceania caging. He is the first male CNMI national basketball player to earn this prestigious award.
Cruz began his performance with a 16-point output against Pacific power house, New Zealand. His biggest offensive night came during the CNMI’s game against Micronesian rival, Guam, where he scored 19 points.
Camacho was the top scorer for the CNMI women’s team in four games tallying a total of 62 points. She scored 24 points during the game against Guam, 12 points against New Caledonia; 16 points against New Zealand and 10 points against Australia. Converting eight three-point shots and 14 free-throws, she averaged 15.5 points per game in the entire Oceania caging. She also helped clamp down on defense with eight steals and nine rebounds.
A long time veteran in the CNMI women’s basketball, she captained the national team.
Camacho was also voted by the participating head coaches to be named women’s All-Star 5 selection team. She is also the first female CNMI national basketball player to earn this prestigious award.
