Members of Team Nesian Built pose for a photo after winning the first tournament of the NMIBF Marianas 3×3 Series 2K23 with an undefeated record on Saturday at the Ada gym.
TEAM Nesian Built looks like the team to beat for a chance to represent the NMI in the FIBA Asia 3×3 Cup in Singapore after dominating the first of five tournaments of the NMIBF Marianas 3×3 Series 2K23 with an undefeated record on Saturday at the Ada gym.
Team Nesian Built, which consists of Coby Santos, Douglas Schmidt, Preston Basa, and Jack Lizama, bested 12 other teams with ease to make their way to the finals where they faced Hagu Real Hoops’ Gerald Flores, Joseph Sablan, Shane Deleon Guerrero, and Elijah Aughenbaugh.
Team Nesian Built’s biggest strength was their balanced roster for offense and defense. Lizama drew first blood with a midrange jumper while Santos followed up with a three-pointer. Schmidt then attacked the rim to deliver three straight buckets and establish control.
Hagu Real Hoops started on a different path with Deleon Guerrero draining three consecutive triples while Flores took care of the inside game to stay within reach.
Although Hagu Real Hoops always had an answer from around the perimeter, Team Nesian Built’s variety of offensive options kept them afloat. Santos and Basa remained the biggest threat from beyond the arc while Lizama and Schmidt handed the punishment from within.
With only Deleon Guerrero and Flores able to produce much needed points, Hagu Real Hoops’ lack of firepower was their drawback as they continued to play catch up.
Santos secured victory for Team Nesian Built, 18-15, by scoring the last four buckets.
For winning the first tournament of the series, Team Nesian Built earned 50 points while Hagu Real Hoops garnered 40 points.
Third place
In the battle for third place, the Net Rippers outscored the K2 Ballers, 17-11.
The well-rounded Net Rippers, which consist of Juan Camacho, Jeffrey Castro, Greg Sablan and Jack Aranda, wreaked havoc offensively with each player on the court contributing to the scoreboard.
The K2 Ballers’ Garret Mariano, Frankie Satur, Jay Art Palmes, and John Pangelinan played to their strength — the inside game — but posed no threat from outside, which made it easy for the Net Rippers to defend as they only needed to focus on protecting the paint.
After several exchanges, the Net Rippers’ Sablan heated up with nine points, including a triple to seal the deal, 17-11.
The Net Rippers earned 30 points while the K2 Ballers obtained 20 points.
The next 3×3 tournament will be held on Dec. 18-20.
