Lito Espino, the president of Northern Marianas Bartender Association, the group that started the HANMI basketball tournament said three of the hotel teams will not join any other leagues except the HANMI Cup that will open on Aug. 22 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
Espino said he was surprised to see the news report that basketball teams from Hyatt Regency Saipan, Aqua Resort Club and Pacific Island Club were joining the Inter-government/Business Basketball Tournament that was initially scheduled to open on Friday.
The NMBA president said neither Aqua Resort Club nor the PIC basketball teams expressed interests in joining this week’s tournament since they know about the HANMI Cup opening in the next few weeks.
Although he was not sure about Hyatt Regency basketball team’s decision yet, Espino said he is positive all the hotel teams that had been participating in HANMI Cup will continue to play.
In fact, two new teams have communicated their interest to join. The Tinian Dynasty and the Century Hotel which will form team with Shirleys Coffee Shop will participate in this year’s HANMI Cup.
HANMI Cup did not see action last year. Instead, all the teams participated in the tournament that Tinian Dynasty hosted.
The other teams that will continue to play in HANMI Cup are defending champion, Fiesta/Grand Team and Saipan World Resort.
