The competition kicks off with a player’s clinic on Saturday, March 26, held by National Basketball Development Coach Elias Rangamar from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The invitational event will feature the best 18-and-under student athletes from Saipan’s public and private schools, who will take on the Settsu Red Impulse Basketball Team from Osaka, Japan.
Pool play starts Sunday, 8 a.m. at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. Winning teams will advance on Monday’s semifinals at 3 p.m. Championship and consolation games are scheduled for Tuesday, March 29.
Games will follow Federation Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) rules. Joining team Settsu Red Impulse in the girls division are the MISO All-Stars (composed of Marianas High, Saipan Southern High, and Kagman High School students), COPSSA All-Stars, and the MHS Lady Dolphins. In the boys category are teams Settsu Red Impulse, COPSSA All-Stars, MISO All-Stars, and the Kagman High School Ayuyus.
Due to tragic events that took place in Japan, BANMI organizers halted their plans to conduct the tournament, and prayed for the welfare and safety of the Settsu Red Impulse Team. It was not until recently that tournament organizer Gabriel White was relieved to hear from SRI Directors Mr. and Mrs. Sakaguchi that the SRI Group will still return to Saipan and arrive as scheduled during their week-long stay.
Basketball fans, enthusiasts, and the general public are encouraged to come and take part in the four-day event. Admission cost is $0.25 for elementary, junior high, and high school students with valid school identification cards, $0.50 for those without, and $1 for adults (additional monetary donations accepted). All proceeds will go towards helping raise relief aid for Japan.
BANMI is proud to host the Settsu-Saipan Friendship Basketball Tournament for the third year in a row in honor of the SRI group as frequent visitors to the CNMI, for basketball goodwill, and BANMI’s continued development efforts. Special thanks go to “Big Man” (gold) sponsors-DFS Saipan Galleria and “Top Rookie” (bronze) sponsors Coca-Cola/Foremost.
