By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE VEGA Environmental 3×3 Basketball Tournament filled the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium with an abundance of intense 10-minute games as teams battled their way to the top in pursuit of the title across three divisions — men’s open, women’s open, and U18 boys — on Monday night.
The opening day featured 10 teams in the men’s open division, four teams in the U18 boys division, and two teams in the women’s open division.
In the men’s division, only two teams ended the night unscathed — Asian Persuasion and Underground Kings.
Asian Persuasion, composed of Keith Santos, Tony Kim, Mii Tekopua, and Coby Santos, showcased a dominant performance throughout the night with strong finishes at the rim, earning three consecutive wins — first against Bemermii, 15-11, then against Profound Ballers, 13-7, and finally against Raiders, 11-6.
The only other team to go undefeated was Underground Kings, which shared a similar 3-0 record.
Underground Kings — consisting of Reed Camacho, Jon Diaz, Austin Diaz, and Deshawn Adelbai — fought through a handful of intense games, first taking down Strictly Business, 13-9, then Faafo, 8-5, and finally Raiders, 9-8.
The rest of the men’s open division results are as follows:
– Faafo defeated Vega, 22-3
– Profound Ballers defeated Raiders, 12-6
– Bemermii defeated Vega, 22-1
– Ball Hogs defeated Strictly Business, 9-8
In the women’s open division, Arc Angels’ Madeleine Alegre, Michelle Kautz, Destiny Pangelinan, and Tihannalyn bested She Hoopers, 13-3, while Prime 1’s Rosie Saralu, Maria Enriquez, Jahsmin Ramon, and Yasmeen Younis triumphed over Prime 2, 11-1.
As for the U18 boys division, G-Rollers outscored Rebels, 18-4; Chagi Ayuyu edged Batang Kalye, 10-8; Raiders routed Chagi Ayuyu, 18-9; and Hot Shots defeated Batang Kalye, 10-4.
The action resumed Wednesday and will continue on Friday, Oct. 24; Monday, Oct. 27; and Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Ada gym.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
