Marianas Rugby Club’s team captain Tatiana Pangelinan attempts to slip between two Guam Rugby Club defenders during the first-ever Marianas Rugby Cup at the Oleai Sports Complex on Saturday.
Marianas Rugby Club varsity’s Brad Fritz attempts a pass as he gets taken down by junior varsity players Jesse Olopai and Hayden Igisomar during the first-ever Marianas Rugby Cup at the Oleai Sports Complex on Saturday.
THE Guam Rugby Club men’s and women’s teams beat three Marianas Rugby Club teams to claim the perpetual trophy of the first-ever Marianas Rugby Cup at the Oleai Sports Complex on Saturday.
In the men’s division, GRC played a total of three games — twice against MRC’s varsity team and once against the MRC junior varsity team.
GRC consisted of Justin Tanguileg, Joe Mateo, Jerome Uson, Rebwato Choban, Christopher Leon Guerrero, Zayven Piolo, Jayven Mendiola, Josiah Mendiola, Jude Mendiola, Antonio Victor, Jaython Leon Guerrero, Ryan Paulus, Amiotonu San Nicholas, Donavan Degracia, Chris Toro and Troy Fritz. Unmatched when it came to skill and teamwork, they easily dismantled the MRC JV team in the first game, 45-0.
Against MRC V, GRC was triumphant in game 1, 26-5. The visiting team showed signs of fatigue in game 2, but MRC V failed to capitalize and fell short in the end for their second loss, 26-28.
Against MRC JV, however, MRC V was relentless and won the match, 17-7.
The MRC V roster consisted of Trey Aiken, Oscar Setefano, Koji Taisakan, Jason Limes, Frankie Basa Jr., Brad Fritz, Cain Castro, Irvin “Stallion” Olopai, Matt Reyes, Mamerto Forbes and Darien Quitugua while the MRC JV players were Jeffrey Quitugua, Hayden Igisomar, Masan Igisomar, Luis Claridades, Walder Simram, Stanley Choway, Caleb Yug, Albrent Lucido, Taiyo Desebel, Neo Skerei, Carlos Chutin, Daniel Taisakan, Jesse Olopai and RJ Mendiola.
Women’s division
In the women’s division, GRC dominated MRC in their three matches, winning 24-20, 26-14 and 33-0.
GRC’s women’s team consisted of Jenesis Vita, Jaicia Cabrera, Cadance Mansapit, Tiarah Muña, Elexis Gogue, Tori Starr, Victoria Botelho, Katrina Penlaflor, Sherald Mae Alvarez, Jaeana Leon Guerrero, Caeley Leon Guerrero, Alexandria Cruz and Rosita Kuper while MRC’s roster consisted of Tatiana Mettao Pangelinan, Yuriko Kawakami Castro, Aiko Rasiang, Maria Castro, Marley Castro, Maria Fathangin, Vivalyn Yangirelit, Charae Aiken, Davian Atalig, Ti’ana Villanueva, Dakota Matagolai, Richelle Tsunami Ramon and Kailani Laniyo.
The sport of rugby has come a long way in the Northern Marianas, MRC player Oscar Setefano said.
He said MRC started with a group of just 10 people, “but now there’s about 60 players,” and a junior varsity team as well as a women’s team.
“I want to encourage more young people, especially the girls, to come out and join us,” he added.
For the successful hosting of the first Marianas Rugby Cup, MRC is thankful to its sponsors: Monster Pizza, Marpac, Shirley’s Catering, D&Q, Saipan Ice & Water Co., Pacific Rim, Hertz, UR Tents, Latte Built Gym, Triple J, Takumi Restaurant, and the Northern Marianas Sports Association.
