Saipan International School’s Dylan Mister, left, speeds up for a fastbreak play during their game against Northern Marianas International School in the CCOPSA caging yesterday at the Geckos court in As Lito. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Saipan International School recovered quickly after outclassing Northern Marianas International School, 42-27, in the Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League yesterday.

The Geckos, who bowed to Agape Christian School in their season debut last Wednesday (20-70) this time took off on the right foot at their home turf in As Lito and played no let up against the Phoenix to make it to the win column in their second attempt.

Daniel Nam and Dylan Mister fueled SIS’ hot start, as the former netted 8 points and the latter tallied 4 markers. Justin Mateo was the lone scorer for NMIS in the opening quarter with the guard nailing two jumpers. Nam and Mister cut off passing lanes and chased down rebounds and converted these defensive plays into fastbreak points and second-chance opportunities to lift the Geckos to a 12-4 advantage at the end of the first period.

Then in the second quarter, a new pair stepped up for SIS with William Xu nailing a trey and Danny Lim hitting a shot in the post for the Geckos. Mister also scored in the second frame with his fastbreak layup giving SIS a double-digit spread at the break, 19-9.

While three players teamed up for the Geckos in the second canto, NMIS again leaned on Mateo, who accounted for all of the Phoenix’s 5 points.

The same story happened when the game resumed with Mateo making the only field goal for NMIS in the third period, as the rest of his teammates were silenced by the Geckos’ suffocating defense. On offense, Lim led SIS with his 8 points, while Mister and Xu chipped in 4 each, as the Geckos extended their advantage to 35-11, going into the final canto.

In the fourth period, the Phoenix finally drew contributions from other players with Dindo Ferrer knocking in two 3-pointers and a shot in the post and Luke Sobremisana adding 4. Mateo also registered 4 markers, but these were not enough to bring NMIS back in the game and give the team back-to-back wins after prevailing in its debut (versus Seventh Day Adventist).

Meanwhile, Agape swept its double-header against Grace Christian Academy.

In the boys division, the Torchbearers scorched the Eagles, 62-14. Agape also had an easy win in the girls match, 45-20.

SIS 42—Mister 13, Lim 10, Nam 8, Xu 7, Gregoire 2, Christian 2
NMIS 27 —Mateo 15, Ferrer 8, Sobremisana 4.
Scoring by quarters: 12-4. 19-9, 35-11, 42-27

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Saipan International School’s Tania Tan earned the Tan Siu Lin Foundation/Northern Marianas Sports Association Female Student Athlete of the Month for March award after her triumphs in several tournaments last month.

The reigning TSL Foundation/NMSA Student Female Athlete of the Year kicked off her busy and successful month with a first place finish in the Triple J 5K Bubble Color Run/Walk. She had the fastest time among the more than 500 female runners after completing the course that started and ended at the Garapan Fishing Base in 21:29.

Then a week after the Triple J event, the 17-year-old student raced in the 10K event of the 2019 Saipan Marathon. She ended up placing second overall in the women’s field behind a Korean pro and the fastest female Saipan finisher after clocking in at 46:38.

Tan took a break for a week before returning to competition—via the 30th Tagaman Triathlon. She debuted in one of the oldest triathlon races in the Pacific, entering in the solo division and topping the U18 age group after completing the race in 4:52:42.

Tan was both nominated by the Northern Marianas Athletics and the Triathlon Association of the CNMI for the coveted monthly plum.

TRAC also nominated Sendin and the diminutive triathlete won the NMSA Male Athlete of the Month plum for his triumph in last month’s Tagaman.

Sendin was the first Saipan finisher in the 2-kilometer run, 60K bike, and 15K run race, completing the course in 3:56:14. He also finished third in the men’s 30 to 34 age group. Sendin recorded split times of 35:30, 1:54:46, and 1:25:48.

Meanwhile, runner Traven Quitugua rounded out the March honor roll after getting the Male Student Athlete of the Month award.

The Saipan Southern High School student led the sprinters who qualified for the 2019 Public School System/McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships after making the grade in the trials last month.

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The Kagman Little Legals’ Albert Adriano, left, avoids a tag from Falcons catcher Delton Lieto, while the former’s teammate Jarod Muna is still down after sliding home during the top of the first inning of their Majors game in the opening week of the 2019 Saipan Little League Baseball last Saturday at the Capital Hill Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Defending champions Kagman Little Legals prevailed in their early rematch against the Tanapag Falcons, 7-3, as the scaled-down 2019 Saipan Little League Baseball kicked off last Saturday at the Capital Hill Ballfield.

Starting pitcher Albert Adriano stood out both on offense and defense for the Little Legals to lift the Majors reigning champion to a convincing win over their rival last season. Adriano had a two-run homer at the start of the game and went on to finish the match with three runs on a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. He also struck out seven Falcons batters before reaching the pitching count limit late at the bottom of the sixth and last inning.

With Adriano’s homer coupled with Ryan Dela Cruz, Austin Diaz and Santiago Seman’s runs off the Falcons’ errors at the top of the second, the Little Legals took a 5-2 lead.

The Falcons, who were beaten by the Little Legals in the finals last year, 6-4, scored their two runs at the bottom of the second off Damien Cruz’s two-run single. The runners-up were then forced to a 1-2-3 in the third and fourth inning before Cruz put the squad on the board in the fifth with an RBI double.

However, before Cruz’s hit brought Marvin Cabrera home in the penultimate inning, the Little Legals earlier added two more runs with Adriano reaching off a sac fly in the third and again in the fifth off a Falcons’ booboo for a four-run lead.

The scores did not change, as the Little Legals’ defense finished off the Falcons at the bottom of the sixth inning. Noah Iguel started the inning with a double, while Matthew Tomokane was beaten to first and Adriano fanned Vinnie Sablan before being relieved by Diaz for the two outs. Iguel was left stranded at second and the Little Legals ended the match, as Diaz caught a line drive from Zack Dafron.

Blue Jays 18, Marlins 5
In the Minor division game, the Blue Jays stunned defending champions Kagman Marlins.

The Blue Jays needed only three and a half innings to beat the Marlins, who topped the division last year after downing the NSA Braves, 5-3.

N.J. Sablan powered the Blue Jays to the easy win after hitting a grand slam at the bottom of the first inning where his team scored three more runs to take control of the match. Another seven-run inning (third) set up the Blue Jays for the early victory.

Besides hitting a grand slam, Sablan also pitched the Blue Jays to their season-debut win, as he worked the mound without relief in four innings and struck out 10 batters.

The Blue Jays, Marlins, and Braves are the only teams vying for the Minor championship this season, which will be without the Junior and Senior League divisions and was delayed due to the lack of venue. The league used to have its matches at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield and the Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Ballfield, but both were damaged by Super Typhoon Yutu. SLLB then had to wait for a softball league to wrap up before they could use the Capital Hill Ballfield.

SLLB head Mike Borka would like to thank the following for helping them push ahead with the competition this season: Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Triple J, Pacific Trading, Co., Pacific Rim, Division of Parks and Recreation, Department of Public Works, the CNMI Legislature, and the Governor’s Office.

The Tanapag Falcons players and coaches huddle before heading back to the field during the bottom of the sixth inning of their Majors game against the Kagman Little Legals in the 2019 Saipan Little League Baseball last Saturday at the Capital Hill Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

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Saipan Swim Club’s Jinju Thompson, right, walks pass the CNMI flag, as she and other swimmers head to the starting lane during the Inaugural Micronesian Swimming Championships last Friday in Palau. (Contributed Photo)

The CNMI swimmers who were greatly impacted by the closure of the Kan Pacific Pool and Super Typhoon Yutu persevered and turned out to be the champions of the Inaugural Micronesian Swimming Championships held in Palau.

Team CNMI collected 44 gold medals, 28 silvers, and 10 bronzes to rule the tournament held at the National Swimming Pool in Meyuns from April 4 to 6. The squad is made up of 10 swimmers from Tsunami Saipan and eight from Saipan Swim Club. Official and detailed results of the races at the 25-meter pool were unavailable as of press time.

Siblings Jinnosuke and Lennosuke Suzuki, sisters Jinju and Jinie Thompson, Taiyo Akimaru, Sophia Gauran, Savita Sikkel, and David Boyer were the SSC members that joined the competition, while Tsunami Saipan was represented by Nelson Batallones, Joseph Zhang, Juhn Tenorio, Aika Watanabe, Isaiah Aleksenko, Hans Xu, Kean Pajarillaga, Ashley Dangol, and Shoko Litulumar.

Both clubs endured the challenging training conditions here heading into their first off-island tournament, as they were left without an appropriate swimming venue when the Marpi pool shut down last Sept. 30. Tsunami Saipan and SSC swimmers turned into hotel pools and open water for their training, which less than a month after the Marpi pool closure was suspended when Yutu flattened the island.

The CNMI swimmers were forced to take a break from swimming for months, but remained determined, as they returned to their regular training session in December to prepare for off-island competitions, including the Palau-hosted regional tournament.

Palau finished second to Team CNMI in the medal standings with its 17 gold medals, 22 silvers, and 31 bronzes, while Pohnei had an 8-10-7 tally, and the Marshall Islands hauled eight silvers and 10 bronzes.

Sakovich: Find a way
SSC co-founder witnessed Team CNMI ruled the inaugural competition in Palau, as he was an official in the event.
The CNMI Hall of Famer also facilitated SSC swimmers’ last training session before they headed to Palau and wished that they could go back to an appropriate swimming venue.

“The government and the community should find a way to get the pool operational. I know it’s very expensive to maintain the pool, but there’s a solution to that,” said Sakovich, who suggested charging fees for the usage of the facility.

“It’s a community pool and everybody uses it. It really bothers me to see the pool closed. That pool has done a lot to our swimmers, to the community. Swimmers won medals for the CNMI and managed to go to college through scholarships because of that pool,” the Father of Swimming in the Pacific said.

Kan Pacific, who took care of the Olympic-sized pool for nearly four decades, shut it down along with other facilities in Marpi after its lease extension agreement with the Department of Public Lands expired last Sept. 30. Then, initially, Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LCC was given the green light to take over the management of the Marpi property, but there was a change of plans and now the pool is left to deteriorate.

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Team CNMI will be competing in the Trench Challenge in Guam in September this year to earn a ticket to the Obstacle Course Race World Championships.

The squad is made up of James Lee, Rodney Camacho, Ando Agulto, R.J. Aquino, and Joe Villacrusis and their preparations for the OCRWC qualifier set for Sept. 30 at the Guam International Raceway have started early this year.

“James (Lee) has been a regular at Trench Challenge, while some of us did it a few years ago, but only the recreational part of the race. This year, James and I put a team together to compete in the Trench Challenge event in the Elite Division. What this means is that if we rank in this event, we will qualify to compete in the OCWRC, which will be held in October in London,” Villacruis said.

“We have been training since the beginning of this year everyday, and most of the time, twice a day. Most of our training is conducted at Latte Built Gym starting at 5am,” he said.

Villacrusis added that part of their training is competing in local running events, including last month’s Saipan Marathon.

“Right now, we are working on the terrains on sand and up hills of Mt. Tapochau and the Navy Hill road from the Hyatt up to the baseball field,” the former CNMI National Basketball Team member.

While training, the group is also busy holding fundraisers. Last month, they did a fundraiser that was supported by the following companies: Tony Roma’s, Capricciosa, Great Harvest, Bubba Gump, Caravan, Cha Saipan, Sea Touch, Let’s Go Tours, SUP Saipan, Tribe Marianas, MARPAC, Jonny’s Bar & Grill, Monkey Biz Productions, and Salty Skin Pacific.

“We will have a couple more fundraisers to help with the cost to compete in both Trench Challenge and the OCRWC. We will be glad to represent the CNMI in the OCR. We believe this will help put CNMI on the map along with all the top athletes in the world. The CNMI has never had a representation in this event and we would like to be the first one to do it. We will need all the support we can get from businesses, government officials/offices, and the community,” Villacrusis said.

The organizers of OCRWC are excited to have Lee and his team join the event in October.

“The Trench Challenge is excited to have James Lee, our two-time (2017 & 2018) OCRWC qualifier return to Guam in September with Team CNMI to try and qualify for the 2019 Obstacle Course Race World Championships, which will be held in Kelvedon Hatch London, UK this October. The CNMI’s representation at OCRWC will make it 68. We look forward to him and his team earning their spots at the World Championships,” Trench Challenge race director Tom Akigami said.

To help the team or for more information, contact Villacrusis at 483-5638.

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Triathlon Association of the CNMI’s Paul Plunkett is the Commonwealth’s chef de mission to the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Triathlon Association of the CNMI official Paul Plunkett was selected as Team CNMI’s chef de mission for the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.

Plunkett, whose appointment was announced during the Northern Marianas Sports Association’s monthly meeting last month, will work with NMSA and the Pacific Games organizers in Samoa in ensuring that CNMI athletes and officials’ participation in the competition from July 7 to 20 will run smoothly.

“I would like to meet with the CNMI delegates as often as possible leading up to the Games, so we could organize things and make sure that we get everything ready and in order when we get to Samoa,” said Plunkett.

The Commonwealth will be sending athletes in triathlon, athletics, golf, swimming, tennis, canoe, rugby and possibly beach volleyball.

TRAC will bring three athletes to Samoa this summer, while Northern Mariana Islands Swimming Federation will have six and a coach. Northern Marianas Athletics is sticking to its four-athlete team (two male and two female) plus a coach, while Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association has initially committed both men’s and women’s teams (four members for each squad). Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation has also expressed its intension to bring men’s and women’s canoe teams to Samoa, while rugby (sevens) and golf (men’s team) are still a go.

Beach volleyball qualifiers

Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Federation is the latest local sports group to inform NMSA of its plan to compete in the quadrennial competition.

NMIVA will only join the men’s beach volleyball and will be holding a two-leg qualifier to select its representatives to the Pacific Games. The first qualifier is set for April 28 and with teams playing in pool play and then double-elimination playoffs at the Hyatt Regency Saipan court. The second qualifier will follow the same format and is scheduled for May 12, also at the Hyatt court.

Off-island players interested in representing the CNMI in Samoa, but could not join the qualifiers are asked to submit videos of their matches for consideration.

Players who will be selected will have to raise funds on their own to make the trip to Samoa, as NMIVA is not expecting to receive financial aid besides the limited assistance CNMI delegates will get from NMSA. The cost (including airfare and accommodation) to participate in the Pacific Games is estimated at $3,000 per delegate.

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TanHoldings Football Club’s Kohtaro Goto takes a shot in front of the Kanoa Football Club-2 goalie during their first round meeting in the boys U15 division of the 2019 NMIFA Spring Youth League at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Contributed Photo)

MP United Football Club is still on top, while TanHoldings FC is back on track following their easy victories in the boys U18 division of the 2019 NMIFA Spring Youth League last Friday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

In the curtain-raiser, MP United whipped Kanoa Football Club, 8-1, while TanHoldings also cruised past the CNMI Boys U15 National Team in the second match, 6-0. The win was MP United’s fifth in as many games, keeping the squad in the lead in the five-team field, while TanHoldings got victory No. 3 and snapped its two-game losing skid.

Before downing the CNMI U15, TanHoldings first bowed to MP United and Matansa late last month. Mark Esalan and John Canape helped TanHoldings regain its winning form after scoring two goals apiece, while Jonathan Capayas added one. The winning squad got an own goal in the opening minutes of the first half to take the lead, while Canape and Esalan made it a 3-0 halftime edge after hitting the board in the 17th and 20th minute, respectively. Capayas then kicked off TanHoldings’ offense with his conversion in the 49th minute, while Esalan and Canape followed suit in the 58th and 66th, respectively, to complete their domination of the winless CNMI U15.

In the other lopsided game in the division, Oliver Lee towed MP United to victory after firing four goals. He delivered a hat trick in the first half after finding the back of the net in the 12th, 20th, and 34th minute, while his last goal came in the 65th. Kaden Church added a pair, while Jon Villagomez, and Gaeul Kim contributed one apiece.

Ian Karl Maniago scored the lone goal for Kanoa Football Club, which has only one win this season.

BOYS U15
Kanoa-1 8, Matansa 0

Kanoa extended its winning streak to six after blanking Matansa in the second game in the division last Saturday.

Jaydee Jose starred in Kanoa-1’s crushing of Matansa after making three goals. He then drew enough support from his teammates with Jim Maniago and Merrick Maniago adding two goals apiece and Daniel Mar Pablo recording one.

With its perfect record, Kanoa sits on top of the standings in the six-team field.

TanHoldings 13, Kanoa-2 0
TanHoldings also posted a shutout win over Kanoa-2 in the first game last weekend.

Kohtaro Goto jumpstarted TanHoldings’ well-oiled offense after notching four straight goals in the first half (second, 13th, 17th, and 22nd minute). He added two more in the second half and the rest of his teammates took over in finishing off the hapless Kanoa-2.

Oliver Fajardo chipped in three goals, while Ariel Narvaez, Mark Joseph Roque, Tyler Macaranas, and Anthony Bergancia logged one apiece for TanHoldings, which is in third place in the team rankings.

MP United 3, Shirley’s 1
MP United is still ranked second, breathing down Kanoa’s neck following a victory over Shirley’s.

Dylan Mister delivered two goals for MP United, getting his first in the sixth minute and the last in the 43rd. Shirley’s, which has only two wins this season, briefly knotted the count, as Gabriel Arkoh scored three minutes after Mister earned his first goal. However, Shirley’s eventually lost when it failed to counter against MP United in the second half. MP United’s other goal in the second half was courtesy of Richard Steele in the 52nd minute.

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Agape Christian School’s Eason Tang, left, drives against Saipan Community School’s Miles Borja during their game in the CCOPSA middle school caging yesterday at the Agape court in Gualo Rai. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Agape Christian School maintained its undefeated record after routing Saipan Community School, 58-16, in the Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League yesterday at the former’s court in Gualo Rai.

The Torchbearers went on a 18-0 scoring run against the Tsunamis in the first quarter and never looked back en route to their third win in as many games. Saipan Community absorbed its second loss and has only one victory early in the season.

Eason Tang anchored Agape’s surge as he knocked in three mid-range jumpers and also hit a fastbreak basket, while fellow starters Bobby Bao, Caleb Cai, David Zheng, and Tony Liang chimed in during Agape’s game-deciding run.

The Tsunamis were without a basket in the first eight minutes of the match before Charlie McDonald slashed into the lane and made back-to-back layups to end his team’s long dry spell.

After Agape built a hefty lead, its starters took a breather and passed the torch to Steven Qiu, who made the most out of his minutes, as he scored 8 of their 10 second-quarter points and handed the Torchbearers a 28-10 halftime advantage. McDonald continued to shoulder Saipan Community’s offense, as he connected on three layups for all of their squad’s 6 markers, going into the break.

When the game resumed, SCS hit rock bottom, as Miles Borja’s putback was the Tsunamis’ lone basket in the third period.

In contrast, Tang converted an and-1 play and swished two more free throws for 5 points for Agape, while Eric Chen added 4 points, padding their lead to 42-12, with just a quarter to go.

Saipan Community never made headway in the final canto, allowing Agape to notch a 42-point winning margin.

Tang led the way for the Torchbearers with his 18 points, while Zheng and Qiu contributed with 11 and 8 markers, respectively. McDonald had 14 for Saipan Community.

In other results, Mount Carmel School overcame a scoreless first quarter to nip Grace Christian Academy in the girls division game at the Koblerville Gymnasium, 20-19.

The Lady Eagles were in the driver’s seat for most of the game and even held a 17-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter. However, the Lady Knights fought their way back into the game and stole the win after scoring 6 points in the final period and limiting GCA to one field goal.

Kaithlyn Chavez and Brandie Matsumoto teamed up to complete Mt. Carmel’s comeback, as the former scored 4 points and the latter tallied 2. The Lady Eagles’ Soleil Lamar led all scorers with her 12 points, while Azriel Fatialofa logged 4.

After the tough loss, GCA dropped to 0-2 card, while the Lady Knights evened out their record to 1-1, bouncing back from their debut loss to Seventh Day Adventist last Thursday (4-17).

Mt. Carmel ended up sweeping the double-header yesterday, as its boys team bested GCA, 35-21.

The Knights secured their second win in as many matches, while GCA fell to a 1-2 card. MCS got its first victory last Thursday when it dominated SDA, 46-8.

Over in As Lito, Saipan International School crushed SDA, 61-13.

Danny Lee led the Geckos’ triumph with his 15 points, while Daniel Nam, Dylan Mister, and William Xue contributed 12, 11, and 10 markers, respectively.

SIS now has a 2-1 record, while SDA is still searching for its first win of the season after absorbing its third defeat in as many games.

Meanwhile, GCA and SDA will be locking horns at the former’s court in Navy Hill for the boys and girls division games tomorrow. Over in Susupe, SCS will host SIS, while MCS and NMIS will face off at the Koblerville Gymnasium.

Agape 58—Tang 18, Zheng 11, Qiu 8, Cai 5, Bao 4, Chen 4, Liang 4, He 2, Jin 2
SCS 16—McDonald 14, Borja 2.
Scoring by quarters: 18-4, 28-10, 42-12, 58-16.

An Agape Christian School player throws up a floater during their game againt Saipan Community School in the CCOPSA middle school caging yesterday at the Agape court in Gualo Rai. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

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MJD Corporation’s Mico Usi banks a shot in during a regular season game against Pacific Postal Plus in the Emon Lodge caging at the Koblerville Gymnasium. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Pacific Islands Club, MJD Corporation, Islander Rent-A-Car, and Pacific Engineering Groups & Services advanced to the semifinals of the 2018 Emon Lodge No. 179 Brotherhood/IT&E Basketball League.

PIC (8-1) finished on top of the team standings and will square off against No. 4 Islander (6-3) in a make-or-break game this Saturday at 10am at the Koblerville Gymnasium.

“The key to our success this season is teamwork and trusting each individual on the team,” PIC’s Paulo Rafols said. “We are working hard to cover some gaps [in our game], and I’m confident that me and my teammates will make it all the way.”

No. 2 MJD (7-2) will battle PEGS in the other do-or-die tiff at 12pm. PEGS matched the Islander’s record, but dropped to No. 4 after losing the tiebreak (points). MJD is favored in the semis game and one of its key players, Jack Aranda, hopes the team makes it all the way to the finale.

“What helps my team is communication and dedication from each player showing up to each and every match and executing the game plan,” Aranda said.

“Some days may be rough, but working together helps us get the job done on both offense and defense,” he added.

The winners in this Saturday’s semis games will be back at the Koblerville Gymnasium the next day for the championship bout at 1pm and to complete the season, which was long delayed because of Super Typhoon Yutu.

Both Rafols and Aranda expressed gratitude to the league organizers for deciding to continue the league despite the devastation that Yutu left on the islands.

“It feels great to know that the league pulled through,” Rafols said.

“I’m more than happy with what the league has done for the community. It has brought some light to our lives,” Aranda said. “Continuing the league is just right for all the participants.”

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The Talaabwogh Falcons’ Achilles Evangelista waits for a pitch from the Kagman Little Legals during their first game in the Majors division of the 2019 Saipan Little League Baseball last Saturday at the Capital Hill Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Talaabwogh Falcons regrouped right away and nosed out the Comets, 5-4, in their Majors division game in the 2019 Saipan Little League Baseball last Sunday at the Capital Hill Ballfield.

A four-run bottom of the fourth inning and a go-ahead run from Matthew Tomokane saved the Falcons from absorbing back-to-back losses in the opening week of the SLLB. Last Saturday, defending champions Kagman Little Legals downed the Falcons, 7-3, in the early rematch between the 2018 season finalists.

The Comets threatened to hand the Falcons another loss, as the former took a 2-0 lead after three and a half innings. Catcher Jesus Tyquiengco blasted an RBI single and later reached off the Falcons’ error at third base at the top of the second inning to put the Comets in the driver’s seat.

However, the Comets’ stay on top was short-lived, as the Falcons grabbed the lead in the next inning, 4-2. Tomokane singled in leadoff batter Achilles Evangelista and the latter also reached off the Comets’ miscue, while Marvin Cabrera brought in Andre Iguel and scored the Falcons fourth run off another error from their opponents.

The Falcons went on to keep the lead in fifth inning, as neither team managed to score. Then at the top of the last inning, leadoff batter Greg Tebit reached off a wild pitch, while Sam Aldan’s single brought home Tyquiengco, allowing the Comets to tie the match.

After Tyquiengco’s run knotted the count, the Comets had chances to regain the upper hand with runners on second and third base. However, Andre Iguel, who relieved starting pitcher Noah Iguel, struck out Benji Manglona to end the top of the sixth inning.

Then at the bottom, Noah Iguel led off for the Falcons, but was grounded out at first, while Tomokane was hit by pitch and later moved to second after Cabrera walked. Next up to bat was Delton Lieto and a Comets’ error at first base gave Tomokane time to run home for the Falcons’ close win.

MINOR DIVISION
NSA Braves 15, Blue Jays 1
The NSA Braves had a rousing season debut after whipping the Blue Jays last Sunday.

The Braves saved the best for last after scoring eight runs at the bottom of the fourth inning.

Rosie Saralu led the Braves’ rout of the Blue Jays after scoring two runs, including a solo homer in the third inning, and going 2-for-3 at bat. Abraham Saralu, Max Taitano, Akiken Norita, and Beni Sablan also delivered two runs apiece for the Braves, while the Blue Jays’ lone run came from leadoff batter Ethan Salalila (unearned) at the bottom of the first inning.

Rosie Saralu pitched for the Braves and threw a no-hitter in three innings, walking only one and striking out seven. Alden Magofna relieved her in the fourth and the former finished off the Blue Jays, as he fanned the Blue Jays’ first two batters and then struck out the fourth one to leave Nick Sablan stranded at third.

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Sunjoon Tenorio, left, seen here in action against an Old B Bank player, scored seven goals to power the NMI Boys U18 National Team to a lopsided win over Matansa in Division A of the 2019 Spring Men’s M-League last Sunday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Contributed Photo)

A pair of wins in Week 6 of the 2019 Spring Men’s M-League gave Shirley’s Football Club some breathing space in Division B.

Shirley’s first defeated the CNMI Women’s National Team, 4-2, last Thursday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville, and then downed Pacific Islands Club last Sunday, 5-3, to gain five victories, two more than PIC and ahead by one against Sun Palace. Before last week’s matches, Shirley, PIC, and Sun Palace had three wins each.

Hojin Woo and Hoin Ryu handed Shirley’s victory No. 4 after drilling two goals apiece in their triumph over the NMI WNT. Gillian Villagomez and Britany Wally scored the two goals for the NMI WNT in the first half to tie the game before Ryu’s shot in the 49th minute broke the deadlock and Woo’s conversion in the 74th gave Shirley’s the insurance. Woo and Ryu’s early goals were recorded in the 17th and 37th minute, respectively, while Villagomez drew first blood in the match in the 12th, and Wally hit the equalizer in the 39th.

Woo also drilled a pair in Shirley’s come-from-behind win over PIC, which was ahead at halftime, 2-0, before collapsing in the second.

Brandon Tenorio’s goals in the third and 35th minute handed PIC the advantage and they even took a 3-0 lead when John Kai Colisao hit the board in the 46th minute. However, that was it for PIC, as it was all Shirley’s show after that.

Jedidah Peteru started Shirley’s rally with his goal in the 47th minute, while Woo scored in the 52nd and 67th, and Heng Guo Piao, and Jack Phan delivered in the 53rd and 89th minute, respectively.

Sun Palace 5, NMI WNT 2
Sun Palace moved up to second place in the team standings after beating the CNMI WNT in the other Division B match last Sunday.

Sun Palace toyed around with the defense of the NMI WNT early, as it got three goals in a span of seven minutes. Won Jong Seo notched a pair in the second and seventh minute, while Jun Liu earned his first in the fifth. Liu ended up recording a hat trick, as he lit up the board in the 30th and 78th minute.

Stella McCallion and Marinel Falalimpa scored the two goals for the CNMI WNT in the second half.

DIVISION A
NMI U18 22, Matansa 0
The CNMI Boys U18 National Team was all fired up in the final match last weekend after hammering Matansa.

After a 9-0 lead in the first half, the NMI U18 went for the kill in the second to pin down the winless Matansa and extend its streak to five.

Sunjoon Tenorio led the NMI U18 with his seven goals, while his six other teammates also scored multiple goals.

Old B Bank 5, KFAS 2
The Old B Bank gained win No. 2 after outclassing Korean Football Association on Saipan.

Hwapyong Kim towed the Old B Bank to the victory after firing three goals. He broke the ice in the 16th minute and delivered his last two goals in the 67th and 71st. Kosuke Matsumoto contributed two goals, while Naoki Oura added one off a penalty kick. Junsik Kim hit the pair of goals for KFAS, which has yet to win this season.

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From left, Pacific Games Council chief executive officer Andrew Minogue gestures, while PGC president Vidhya Lakhan, Northern Marianas Sports Association acting president Justin Andrew, and NMSA executive director Tony Rogolifoi listen during a press conference on the status of Saipan’s hosting of the 2021 Pacific Mini Games yesterday at the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The CNMI has only one month to decide whether to host the 2021 Pacific Mini Games or not.

Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan and chief executive officer Andrew Minogue met with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios last Monday and yesterday to present and discuss proposals that aim to keep the Mini Games on Saipan. Under the PGC recommendations, the Games will be scaled down from 12 events to six and the budget will be decreased from $8 million to around $3 million.

The CNMI government through Northern Marianas Sports Association then has to get back to PGC next month and make a final decision about Saipan’s hosting of the Games. The clock is ticking for the CNMI, as the PGC will hold a general assembly in Samoa in July and announce whether the Commonwealth is moving forward with the hosting or a new bidding should be opened.

“I wish to personally thank Gov. Torres for meeting with the PGC and listening to our proposals to keep the 2021 Pacific Mini Games on Saipan where they rightfully belong,” Lakhan said.

“The PGC is more than prepared to make compromise to our program to significantly reduce costs and alleviate the financial pressures on the administration as recognition of the need to consider the devastating impact of Super Typhoon Yutu,” the PGC president added.

Minogue declined to name the six sports they proposed, but said that the Games operations will be consolidated within the Oleai Sports Complex and Marianas High School to minimize logistics and financial requirements. He also said that they suggested revenue initiatives that will help cover the costs of the Games and lessen the financial obligations of the CNMI government, which last month withdrew its commitment to Saipan’s hosting of the quadrennial event to focus its resources on the continued recovery efforts from the Category 5 storm.

From the around $3-million budget suggested by PGC, part of it will come from fees from the participating countries, which will pay $450 per delegate to the host. Others could be from sponsorships from the private sector. Minogue declined to elaborate on other revenue measures they suggested.

Better shape
While PGC deeply understands that the CNMI’s focus is on the continued recovery on Saipan and Tinian, Minogue said the islands should not be discouraged from hosting the Games.

“Don’t be too despondent. We are prepared to reduce our ‘standards’ to make the Games affordable,” Minogue said.

Torres, in its letter to PGC about the CNMI pulling the plug on Saipan’s hosting of the Mini Games, said “After conducting a preliminary assessment of our islands’ recreational and athletic facilities, as well as having conversations with you, the NMSA, and community sports leaders, we do not reasonably believe that we can host the 2021 Pacific Mini Games to the standards mandated by the Pacific Games Council.”

Majority of the facilities on Saipan sustained massive damage from Yutu, but Minogue said that they are in better shape than the venues in Vanuatu, which also suffered destructions from a strong storm two years before it hosted the 2017 Mini Games.

“At least half of the sports could be held now if they had to be and so we believe that these Games remain affordable and capable of being successfully delivered in the CNMI. I invite the governor to take this opportunity to remain in partnership with PGC and NMSA,” said Lakhan, as he seconded Minogue’s observations.

Under advisement
Press secretary Kevin Bautista acknowledged receipt of the PGC proposals and said the CNMI government will carefully review them.

“Gov. Torres and Lt. Gov. Palacios had productive meetings over the last two days with the Pacific Games Council and NMSA to discuss the feasibility of the CNMI’s ability to host the Games. We’re taking their proposal under advisement and will discuss further in order to come up with a final decision,” Bautista said.

“The PGC was receptive to our current challenges, and we look to come to a resolution within the month. Right now, our priority will be on taking care of our most vulnerable residents in the tents, our students in the temporary classrooms, and our businesses facing the economic hardships following Super Typhoon Yutu,” he added.

Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, center, poses for a photo with Pacific Games Council and Northern Marianas Sports Association officials after their meeting regarding Saipan’s hosting of the 2021 Pacific Mini Games yesterday at the Governor’s Office in Capital Hill. (Contributed Photo)

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Rota students line up to register for the qualifying events in the 2019 Public School System/McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships last Thursday in Sinapalo. (Contributed Photo)

Fifteen elementary school students from Rota will head to Saipan next month after qualifying for the 2019 Public School System/McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships.

Northern Marianas Athletics and PSS staff members went to Rota last Thursday and held trials to determine the Rota students who will battle Saipan and Tinian representatives in the All Schools meet on May 3 and 4 at the Oleai Sports Complex.

Guadalupe Weilbaacher made the grade in the girls U9’s 60m sprints after clocking in at 12.04 seconds. She also qualified in the 100m and 200m runs, while Niarah Muna is Rota’s entry in the U7’s 60m race. In the U11’s 100m and 200m, Aleeyah Hocog qualified, while Keisha Atalig and Krisha Aguero did the same in the U7’s 100m and U7’s 200m runs, respectively. Completing the Saipan-bound Rota girls team is Esme Manglona, who topped the U9 softball throw qualifier.

In the boys division, the 60m run qualifiers are U7’s Jace Barcinas, U9’s Logan Hocog, and U11’s Zander Atalig, while 100m event has U7’s Kody Mendiola, U9’s Gary Mejia, and U11’s Ryan Manglona.

For the 200m run, Dvaun Ogo clinched the lone spot in the U7, while Prudencio Manglona bested three other runners in the U9 age group, and Victor Barcinas prevailed against four in the U11 division. For the U11’s softball throw, Peter John Manglona bagged the qualifying slot after beating Titus, Lorenzo, and Marco Hocog and Victor Atalig.

Meanwhile, Saipan’s qualifiers are ongoing, while Tinian had its elementary school trial last month.

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Grace Christian Academy’s Soleil Lamar, second left, drives against two Seventh Day Adventist defenders during their game in the CCOPSA middle school caging yesterday at the GCA court in Navy Hill. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Grace Christian Academy notched its first win after outclassing Seventh Day Adventist, 19-11, in the girls division of the Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League yesterday at the GCA court in Navy Hill.

The Lady Eagles netted 9 points and held the Lady Guardians to one free throw in the first half to make it to the win column in three tries. SDA shared GCA’s 1-2 record.

After missing GCA’s first two games, Katriel Saures debuted in the league and scored all but one of the Lady Eagles points in the first half. She charged ahead of the pack and made a fastbreak layup to draw first blood and then hit two shots in the post. GCA center Azriel Fatialofa swatted several Lady Guardians’ attempts and rounded out her team’s output with a free throw for a 7-0 advantage.

The Lady Eagles continued to play tough defense in the second canto, as SDA would have been held scoreless again had it not been for Marielle Lopez’s split charity. Saures then countered with another shot from the post, giving GCA 9-1 advantage heading into the break.

When action resumed, Soleil Lamar drilled a midrange jumper and a putback, while Fatialofa and Mint Karsouythong also scored to keep GCA on top.

As for the Lady Guardians, they finally made field goals, thanks to Lopez, who converted three stepback jumpers and a fastbreak layup that moved SDA within a point from reaching the double-digit mark.

With the Lady Eagles still ahead heading into the fourth period, 17-8, GCA coaches called on their reserves to finish the game. Both teams ended up struggling on offense in the final canto with Lamar scoring on a fastbreak play for GCA’s lone basket and Lopez doing the same with her banked in layup.

Meanwhile, GCA swept the double-leader, as its boys team routed SDA, 46-16.

Lance Lerio led all scorers with his 12 points, while Juruel Magtalas, Justin Du, and Ryan Daproza chipped in with 6 markers apiece in the Eagles’ easy win.

With the victory, GCA evened out its record to 2-2, while SDA is still searching for a win after losing its first four.

In other results, Saipan International School eked out a 27-26 overtime win against Saipan Community School.

Geckos captain Dylan Mister nailed the game-winning shot in the extra period and finished the match with 8 points. Daniel Nam also netted 8 markers, while Anthony Gregoire addred 7 points.

Charlie McDonald top-scored for the Tsunamis with his 16 points, as the starting forward shouldered much of SCS’ offense. Miles Borja and Isaiah Aleksenko contributed 6 and 4 markers, respectively, for the Tsunamis, which clung to a 17-16 halftime lead and eventually lost the match in extra period.

The Geckos notched their third win in four games, while SCS tumbled to a 0-3 record.

Over at the Koblerville Gymnasium, Mt. Carmel School crushed Northern Marianas International School, 45-8.

With the win, the Knights are tangled up with Agape Christian School on top of the team standings, as they hold similar perfect 3-0 records. The Phoenix suffered their second straight loss after an impressive win in their season debut.

Mt. Carmel and Agape will collide tomorrow with their clean marks at stake, while their girls teams will also be duking it out at Torchbearers’ court in Gualo Rai. In other games, SIS will host GCA, while NMIS will lace up against SCS in the latter’s court.

GCA 19 —Saures 8, Lamar 6, Fatialofa 3, Karsouythong 2
SDA 11 —Lopez 11.
Scoring by quarters: 7-0, 9-1, 17-9, 19-11.

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PGC chief executive officer Andrew Minogue, left, and PGC president Vidhya Lakhan listen to questions during the press conference on the status of Saipan’s hosting of the 2021 Pacific Mini Games last Tuesday at the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

If the CNMI misses its chance to host the 2021 Pacific Mini Games, the Pacific Games Council believes if may take a long while before the quadrennial competition comes to the Commonwealth.

“We can’t tell you when you will have it,” PGC chief executive officer Andrew Minogue said during a press conference on the status of Saipan’s hosting of event last Tuesday at the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Minogue and PGC president Vidhya Lakhan left the island yesterday after meeting with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, and Northern Marianas Sports Association for two days. The visitors are hoping that the CNMI government will reconsider its earlier decision on withdrawing its support to Saipan’s hosting of the Mini Games.

While the Commonwealth has one month to decide whether to push through with hosting the event for the first time or back out, Minogue said PGC is now preparing the process for selecting the host for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games. The PGC official added that Palau is one of the countries interested in hosting the competition.

As for the 2021 Pacific Mini Games, at least two countries are also waiting in the wings if the CNMI formally gives up its hosting rights. Minogue declined to name the two nations.

The Commonwealth won the bid to host the 2021 Mini Games in 2014 after losing a close battle against Vanuatu, which had the 2017 edition of the meet. After missing the 2017 competition, the CNMI vowed to come back and try again and according to Minogue, other nations did not submit bids for the 2021 tournament to give way to the Commonwealth.

Then just when everything was going well with the CNMI’s preparation for the Games Super Typhoon Yutu came in October last year, causing massive damage to both Saipan and Tinian, including the facilities that are supposed to host the 12 sports to be played in the Mini Games. Five months after Yutu flattened the islands, Torres announced that the government is pulling out its support to Saipan’s hosting of the 2021 Mini Games to prioritize the continued recovery efforts in the CNMI.

PGC understood the situation and sympathized with the Commonwealth, but is still hopeful that the islands’ door is still open for the Mini Games.

“I hope this is the opportunity (hosting) that the CNMI will take because we don’t know when the Games will be back. Think carefully of our proposals (scaling down the Mini Games and suggesting revenue initiatives to offset the costs of hosting). We are presenting an affordable and manageable Mini Games that will leave a legacy in the CNMI,” Minogue said.

He added that members of the Pacific Games family will surely support the competition and surplus funds (from participation fees and sponsorships) from hosting the event can be used to help in the recovery efforts in the CNMI.

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Two Comets players get ready to catch a fly during a warm-up drill before their Majors division game against the NSA Braves in the 2019 Saipan Little League Baseball last Saturday at the Capital Hill Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

McDonald’s and the Comets won their season debuts in convincing fashions after pounding their respective opponents in the Majors division of the 2019 Saipan Little League Baseball over the weekend at the Capital Hill Ballfield.

The Comets opened their campaign in the six-team field with a 13-0 victory over the NSA Braves last Saturday.

The Comets needed only three and a half innings to wrap up the one-sided match, as pitchers Pat Mendiola, Greg Tebit, and Isidro Lizama combined for a no-hitter. Mendiola started for the Comets and struck out all the five batters he faced in 1.2 innings he worked the mound. Lizama came in to relieve Mendiola and was also unhittable, as the former fanned four batters—one at the top of the second and the first three in the third. Then in the fourth inning, Tebit took over the mound for the Comets and after walking leadoff batter Stanley Iakopo, the closer struck out the next three to end the game.

Besides their impressive pitching, the Comets also capitalized on the Braves’ defensive meltdowns, as the winning team scored five of their eight runs at the bottom of the first inning off their opponents’ errors. The Comets’ five other runs were off two fielder’s choice, an RBI from Jay Lizama, and stolen based from Mendiola.

Jesus Tyquengco, Isidro Lizama, and Mendiola made two runs apiece for the Comets.

Meanwhile, McDonald’s romped past the Twins, 25-2, in last Sunday’s Majors division match.

McDonald’s closed out strong, scoring eight runs apiece in the third and fourth inning to finish off the Twins early via the 10-run mercy rule.

Starting pitcher Dillon Santos went 5-for-5 at bat and recorded four runs, two doubles, one single, and three RBIs.

Kazu Dela Cruz relieved Santos late at the bottom of the first inning and started his duty with three straight strikeouts. Dela Cruz went on to fan five more batters, including the first three at the bottom of the fourth and last inning. He gave up only one hit (triple from David Yumul), had one hit by pitch, and contributed four runs.

Casey Chambers, Lance Acosta, and Isaiah Mesa chipped in three runs apiece to complete McDonald’s demolition of the Twins.

The Twins got their two runs at the bottom of the third inning with Yumul’s triple driving in Brandon Tesiro and the former also reaching home off a wild pitch from Dela Cruz.

The NSA Braves’ Stanley Iakopo throws to their coach, as they warmup for their match versus the Comets in the 2019 Saipan Little League Baseball last Saturday at the Capital Hill Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

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Joe I. Sablan ruled the Saipan Golfers Association March Ace Tournament held at the Kingfisher Golf Links.

Sablan, a 23-handicapper, shot a 47 and 46 on the front and back nines, respectively, for a gross 93 and net 70. He won by just one stroke against Ed Manibusan and Joe Demapan, who had similar scores of 72, but the latter dropped to third after losing in the scorecard tiebreak.

The 6-handicapper Manibusan fired a 38 on the front and 39 on the back for a gross 77, while Demapan had a gross 84, built around his pair of 42s. Demapan also won the longest drive contest on No. 7, while John Diaz did the same on No. 11.

In the closest to the pin event, the winners were Jung Eun Teack (No. 6 and 15) , Alex Tudela (No. 8), and Sablan (No. 12)

Meanwhile, the SGA April Ace of the Month is scheduled this Sunday on the west course of the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. Tee time is at 9:30am. (Saipan Tribune)

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Tinian Junior and Senior High School’s Tyler Santos, right, leads in the 1,500m qualifying race for the 2019 Public School System/McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships late last month at the Oleai Sports Complex. (Contributed Photo)

Eighth elementary school students from Tinian notched qualifying slots in the 2019 Public School System/McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships.

In the girls division, Kaisa San Nicolas won all four spots at stake in her age group (U7). She is qualified to join the 60m run (11.64 seconds), 100m run (21.10 seconds), 200m (52.04 seconds), and softball throw (21 meters). In the U9 division, Ysabella Lenteja is also participating in four events when the tournament is held on Saipan on May 3 and 4, as she made the grade in softball throw (21.45m), 200m (40.56 seconds), 100m (17.97 seconds), and 60m (10.68 seconds) runs. Karenna Shrestha was the third Tinian student (girls division) to qualify in the championships after clocking in at 1:53.44 in the 400m run trial and beating Janeean King (2:09.03).

In the boys division, there are also multiple qualifiers in Calen Borja and Jerdon Cruz.

Borja is Tinian’s entry in the U7’s 60m run (10.36 seconds), 100m run (18.16), 200m run (41.19) and softball throw (25.4m). In the U9 age group, Cruz earned the slot in the 200m (41.47), 400m (1:53.44), 100m (18.5), and 60m (10.61) runs.

Other qualifiers in the boys elementary were Abir Ali in the U9 softball throw (25.4m) and Chates Epity in the U7 400m run (2:39.40).

Meanwhile, Tinian Junior and Senior High School’s Tyler Santos are likely to lead the qualifiers in the boys U18 middle distance races after posting two best times in the March 30 trials at the Oleai Sports Complex.

In the 3,000m run, the CNMI National Team member clocked in at 11:14.43, besting eight other runners on his heat. In the 1,500m, Santos was the top finisher anew after posting 5:00.57 and prevailing against nine other runners. Then in the 800m, he was ranked third (2:35.75) in his group behind Marianas High School’s Josh Joson (2:26.14) and Saipan International School’s Kuu Nishimura (2:31.43).

The high school qualifiers (U13, U15, and U18 age groups) will resume this Saturday and the final one will be on April 27, while the championship round is set for May 10 and 11.

Today, the trials for the elementary division will continue, while the organizing Northern Marianas Athletics and PSS will still hold qualifiers in the next two weeks.

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A Southern United Football Club player, right, beats MP United’s Stellalou McCallion to the ball during their girls U16 division game in the 2019 NMIFA Spring Youth League at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Southern United Football Club still holds the girls U16 lead, while Kanoa Football Club is ahead in two other divisions in the 2019 NMIFA Spring Youth League.

Southern United won over MP United, 3-1, last Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville for victory No. 5. Marinel Joy Falalimpa nailed a pair of goals, while Mariana Castro scored the other one for Southern United, which kept its distance against Kanoa.

Falalimpa knocked in her twin goals in the first half, while Castro delivered early in the second half. MP United averted a shutout loss after Stellalou McCallion hit the board in the 65th minute.

In other results in the girls U16 division, Kanoa whipped Paire FC, 11-1, while TanHoldings won via forfeit against Matansa.

Paulynn Joyce and Sharmaine Francisco delivered three goals apiece for Kanoa, which notched its fourth victory and is at close second behind Southern United. Abigael Decena added two goals, while Donna Kapileo, Kialeen Leemarvin, and Khristelle Itaas chipped in one each. Anisa Villagomez posted the lone goal for Paire.

CO-ED U12 DIVISION
Kanoa 4, MP United 1
Kanoa swept the second of the three-round competition in the division after beating MP United.

Taehun Han fired three goals to hand Kanoa its sixth win in as many games and widen the team’s lead in the four-squad field. Han earned his goals in succession, as he made his first in the 38 th minute and the last two in the 44th and 50th, while Izeah Jolo drew first blood for Kanoa in the 14th minute. Ian Song scored the only goal for MP United when he found the back of the net late in the second half.

TanHoldings 5, Shirley’s 4
Mark Costales delivered a hat trick, including the go-ahead to help TanHoldings slip past Shirley’s.

Costales’ dagger came in the 53rd minute or 10 minutes after Muhammad Arif Khan equalized for Shirley’s. Costales’ two other goals were registered in the 12th and 48th minute, while Kaithlyn Chavez logged the two other goals for TanHoldings.

Jayvin Bisek, Edward Arriola, and Tristan Kapwich scored the first three goals for Shirley’s before Khan dropped the game-tying one.

GIRLS U19 DIVISION
Kanoa 12, MP United 3
Over at the TSL Sports Complex, Kanoa eased past MP United in the first futsal game last Friday.

The victory solidified Kanoa’s hold to the top spot as the team got win No. 5, two more than MP United.

Joyce led Kanoa’s triumph after making five goals, while three of her teammates scored multiple goals. MP United drew its goals from Britany Wally, McCallion, and Katrina Costales.

Southern United 3, TanHoldings 1
Southern United took victory No. 3 after downing TanHoldings.

Katherine Magat, Falalimpa, and Jerlyn Castillo teamed up in Southern United’s triumph lighting up the board in the second, 12th, and 17th minute, respectively. Jenny Ann Capayas posted the only goal for TanHoldings.

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Saipan Swim Club’s Jinju Thompson races in the 400m freestyle event during the Inaugural Micronesian Swimming Championships held at the National Swimming Pool in Palau last week. (Contributed Photo)

Jinju Thompson contributed half to the total individual medals Saipan Swim Club won in the Inaugural Micronesian Swimming Championships held at the National Swimming Pool in Palau last week.

The 16-year-old earned one gold medal, five silvers, and two bronzes for SSC, which got five more silvers and four bronzes in the competition held from April 4 to 6. Thompson’s lone gold medal came in the women’s 13 and over 200m freestyle race during the second day of the event. She clocked in at 2:26.28 in the finals, eclipsing her preliminary mark (2:27.43) and beating Palau’s Osisang Chilton (2:28.86), Pohnpei’s Jourdyn (2:29.35) and Nicole (2:35:24) Adams, the Marshall Islands’ Alyssa England (2:37.28), and her sister, Jinie (2:39:49).

Also on Day 2 of the tournament, Jinju got two silver medals (400m freestyle and 200m backstroke), while siblings Lennosuke and Jinnosuke Suzuki won one silver each, and Savita Sikkel, David Boyer, and Sophia Gauran notched medals in relays.

Jinju finished second to the Olympian Chilton in the 400m freestyle, as the latter submitted 5:04.59 against the former’s 5:05.59. Jinie handed SSC a bronze medal in the same event after checking in at 5:34.17 Jinju raced against Chilton anew in the 200m backstroke and this time defeated the Palau bet with her 2:47.91 against the host’s 2:50:06 for the bronze medal.

In the men’s 13 and over 400m freestyle, Jinnosuke clinched second place after posting 4:27.55, while Palau’s Noel Keane (4:25:14) finished first and his compatriot Jericho Maido (4:40.88) came in far third. Jinnosuke’s brother, Lennosuke, also secured a silver medal when he was ranked second in the 200m freestyle behind Noel. Lennosuke recorded 2:03:52, while Noel logged 2:01.60, and Jinnosuke posted 2:08.96 for the bronze medal.

In the relay, Sikkel was with Swimming Center Tsunami Saipan’s Ashley Dangol, Isaiah Aleksenko, and Hans Xu and they won in the mixed U12 400m medley relay. Boyer and Gauran also joined forces with Tsunami Saipan’s Juhn Tenorio and Asaka Litulumar for a silver-medal finish in the mixed 13 and over 400m medley relay.

Earlier on Day 1 of the event, Jinju gave SSC its first individual medal after a runner-up finish in the 800m freestyle. She clocked in at 10:59.39 in the finals, surpassing her preliminary mark (11:09.03). The older Thompson also notched a bronze in the 50m backstrokes (35:45 seconds)

Besides Jinju’s silver and bronze, SSC swimmers also bagged two golds (relay with Tsunami Saipan), three more bronzes, and another silver in the opening day. Jinnosuke and Gauran teamed up with Tenorio and Aika Watanabe and they ruled the over 13 200m medley relay. In the same event, Sikkel raced with Xu, Aleksenko, and Dangol and the quartet took the gold in the U12 age group.

In the 400m freestyle relay, Jinnosuke, Jinie, Boyer, and Tsunami Saipan’s Asaka Litulumar got the bronze behind Pohnpei and Palau teams. Boyer also won the bronze in the 200m butterfly, while Jinnosuke matched the former’s third place finish in the 100m breaststroke. Lennosuke missed the podium in the 100m breaststroke, but redeemed himself in the 100m freestyle after getting the silver medal in the event.

For the final day of the competition at the pool, SSC swimmers hauled five individual medals and one in relay.

Jinju contributed two with her runner-up finishes in the 1,500m freestyle (21:14.08) and 100m backstroke (1:16.15) and was part of the gold-medal winning team in the 200m freestyle relay, as he raced with Lennosuke, Aika Watanabe, and Tenorio in beating Pohnpei, Palau, and the Marshall Islands squads.

Lennosuke also had a pair of medals on Day 3 after placing third in the 200m breaststroke (2:43.15) and second in the 50m freestyle (25.53 seconds), while Sikkel won a silver in the 200m individual medley after posting 3:22:87—a big drop from her preliminary time of 3:43.30.

Meanwhile, the Inaugural Micronesian Swimming Championships wrapped up with an open water swim last Saturday with two SSC swimmers making it to the podium.

Jinju placed third in the women’s over 13 5K race after registering 1:25:47, while Jinnosuke was the runner-up in the men’s field after logging 1:12:30.

Siblings Lennosuke, right, and Jinnosuke Suzuki, left, join Palau’s Noel Keane in the podium during the awards ceremony for the 200m freestyle event of the Inaugural Micronesian Swimming Championships held at the National Swimming Pool in Palau last week. (Contributed Photo)

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