Swimming Center Tsunami Saipan’s Isaiah Aleksenko, left, and Ashley Dangol pose with the medals and awards they won in the the Inaugural Micronesian Swimming Championships held in Palau early this month. (Contributed Photo)

Swimming Center Tsunami Saipan members Isaiah Aleksenko and Ashley Dangol have the medals to prove their dominance in the Inaugural Micronesian Swimming Championships.

Aleksenko earned 13 gold medals and Dangol had 12, as the two swimmers earned the most golds in the entire tournament, including the star division (over 13 age group) participants. The Tsunami Saipan bets raced in the future division (U12 age group) and lorded it over against their teammates, fellow CNMI swimmers, and the representatives of Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Pohnpei to win the most outstanding athlete award in their category.

Dangol triumphed in all 12 events she competed in, starting off with the 400m freestyle swim (4:57.76). Her other races were 100m butterfly (1:11.31), 100m individual medley (1:14.07), 50m backstroke (31.66 seconds), 50m butterfly (31.40 seconds), 100m backstroke (1:10.51), 50m freestyle (29.07 seconds), open water swim (1K course/15:36), 200m and 400m medley relays, and 200m and 400m freestyle relays.

Aleksenko was also part of the relay team that won the four gold medals and ruled nine individual events: ocean swim (1K/15:24), 400m freestyle (4:37.72), 50m breaststroke (36.30 seconds), 100m butterfly (1:08.63), 100m IM (1:11.41), 100m freestyle (1:01.43), 200m breaststroke (2:54.97), 200m IM (2:32.48), and 50m freestyle (27.76 seconds).

Both Aleksenko and Dangol were thankful for the opportunity to finally race in an appropriate venue (National Swimming Pool in Koror, Palau) after losing the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool in Marpi late last year.

“Swimming in a race with an actual diving block was super exciting. Seeing that we didn’t practice in a competition pool, I was overjoyed to receive the MVP award. In the end, I’m happy that our team did really well. I’m super thankful to have our team, the PIC (Pacific Islands Club Saipan) pool, and our coach’s dedication to keep this team going,” said the 12-year-old Dangol.

“It was hard to practice after the Marpi pool closed. I’ve been practicing extra hard for future competitions like this one and I’m very thankful to my coach and Ms.Yuko (Kimura), my mom (Yulia), and my teammates for motivating me. Also, I’m very thankful for this opportunity to represent the CNMI,” Aleksenko said.

Tsunami Saipan head coach Hiro Kimura was not surprised to see Aleksenko and Dangol dominate the competition in Palau because they’ve been to other high-level tournaments and also performed well. Kimura added in next year’s Micronesian Swimming Championships, the two outstanding swimmers will move up to the star division and he encourages them to do well in the higher age group, too.

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Sean Lee reaches for the ball during his title game against Sam Ryu in the boys U16 singles event in the 2019 DFS CNMI Junior Championships yesterday at the American Memorial Park tennis courts. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Top-ranked players Sean Lee and Robbie Schorr did not disappoint, as they ruled their respective singles events in the 2019 DFS CNMI Junior Championships yesterday at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

Lee swept all his three opponents to take the boys U16 singles championship in Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association’s last local tournament for the 2018-2019 season. He clinched the division title following a 6-0, 6-4 victory over No. 2 Sam Ryu in yesterday’s finale.

Earlier in the semifinals, Lee, who blanked Eugene Park in the opening week of the competition, eliminated No. 3 Andy Kim in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, to bag the finals ticket at the top half of the draw. At the bottom half, Ryu also needed only two sets to march into the finals after ousting Isaac Heo, 6-0, 6-1. Heo ended up playing in the consolation game against Kim and the latter won, 6-1, 6-3, to join Lee and Ryu in the Top 3.

In other consolation matches, Gang Min Kim dominated Hyumin Cho, 6-0, 6-0, while Eugene Park edged out No. 4 Jun Wang, 7-6 (1), 7-5.

In the boys U18 singles, the favored Schorr emerged as the champion, as he was unbeaten in three games.

The reigning Tan Siu Lin Foundation/Northern Marianas Sports Association Male Student Athlete of the Year earned a perfect record in the round-robin contest and secured the division crown after slipping past Ji Min Woo in three sets. Schorr drew first blood, 6-1, but missed the sweep when Woo came back with a 4-6 triumph in the second set. Then in the deciding third set, Schorr reasserted his might over Woo for a 6-2 win.

Schorr and Woo held similar 2-0 records after last Saturday’s matches, making their duel yesterday the title-deciding match. Woo downed Vincent Tudela, while Schorr prevailed against Andy Kim, 6-1, 6-0, in Week 1 of the tournament. Then on the second and final week, Schorr and Woo won via walkover against Tudela and Kim, respectively. Tudela after not playing last Friday, showed up at the AMP yesterday and rallied past Kim, 2-6, 6-0, 10-5, to clinch third place.

In another round-robin event, Riku Takahashi notched the boys U10 singles championship after earning an undefeated record. Kadokura first downed Riku Takahashi, 6-2, in Week 1 of the tournament and then blanked Kiwon Lee yesterday, 6-0, to rule the division. Lee finished second, as he earlier prevailed over Takahashi, 6-4.

Meanwhile, other winners in the tournament supported by DFS (title sponsor) Pacific Subsea, Triple J, and Marianas Fertility Clinic will be reported in Saipan Tribune’s Tuesday edition.

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Runners head out to the course during the 10th Annual Saipan Seventh Day Adventist School 5K Hope Run held last April 14. (Contributed Photo)

More than 60 runners participated in the 10th Annual Saipan Seventh Day Adventist School 5K Hope Run held last April 14.

Perennial middle distance races winner Kosuke Sato led the finishers list of the run that started at the Garapan Fishing Base and ended at Micro Beach, as he clocked in at 20:48.

Sato was awarded a medal along with the Top 10 finishers overall (men and women’s combined). Charlie Sendin timed in at 21:33 to rank second and was followed by Ayano Braxton (23:50), Frank Diesta (24:33), Steven Pixley (24:48), Eric Mahinay (25:20), Aris Oris (25:41), Chiharu Sato (27:19), Floro Derexes (28:09), and J.J. Sablan (28:21).

In the 14 and under age group, Taiga Scoggins was the first finisher after checking in at 28:27. Joining him in the Top 10 were Tiana Cabrera (29:11), Rex Pixley (29:55), Gabriel Pelardo (30:54), Gwampil Son (31:09), Sephson Lakjohn (31:27), Melvin Han (32:29), Kazuki Kamegai (37:55), Kyle Diesta (38:01), and Michelle Chen (38:40).

“We want to thank all the runners, parents, and overall supporters that made this event possible. The school is especially grateful to Saipan SDA Clinic for matching the amount raised for this event for a grand total of $9,480. Thank you for your continued support to our school,” SDA School public relations assistant Dorlin Duran said.

The entire proceeds from the event will go to the Hope Run Scholarship, which provides financial aid to SDA students.

The SDA 5K Hope Run was supported by Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, McDonald’s Saipan, National Office Supply, Powerade, SDA Clinic, Glimpses Advertising, Foremost, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Kanoa Resort, Docomo Pacific, Herman’s Modern Bakery, Seatouch, Let’s Go Tour, Goris Missions, Joy 89.9 FM, I Love Saipan, Hardt Eye Clinic, Java Joe’s, MARPAC, Ace Hardware, Mango Six Café, and J.C. Tenorio Enterprises. (Saipan Tribune)

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Mt. Carmel School’s Derek Sasamoto pulls up for a jumper during their middle school game against the Seventh Day Adventist School in the CCOPSA caging yesterday at the SDA court in Chalan Kiya. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Mount Carmel School outgunned Seventh Day Adventist, 30-13, during a game in the Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League yesterday at SDA’s court.

The Knights leveraged an 11-2 scoring run in the first quarter to breeze past the Guardians and notched their fifth win in six games. SDA skidded to a 1-6 record.

Raphael Galang scored 5 straight points off a corner trey and a fastbreak layup, while Leo Naraja picked up an errant pass and cruised for a breakaway layup to kick things off for Mt. Carmel. Derek Sasamoto then swished in two midrange jumpers to put the Knights on top, 11-0, while Hiro Rechucher’s putback in the closing seconds of the first quarter, finally broke SDA’s silence.

With SDA reeling, coach Francis San Nicolas had the luxury of giving his starters a breather during the second period. Reserves Joey Hong and Michael Mercado came to play and scored the two baskets that kept MCS in the lead at the break, 15-6. Tommy Jin netted all 4 points for SDA.

When action resumed, both teams struggled with only Leland Deleon Guerrero scoring for the Knights and Jin doing the same for the Guardians.

Still ahead, 17-8, the Knights recalled their starters in the fourth period to seal the deal and they did not disappoint. Naraja drilled a 3-pointer then cruised past the SDA defense for an easy fastbreak layup, while Galang, Charles Cepeda, and Deleon Guerrero also scored in the final frame.

Galang and Naraja led the Knights’ balanced attack after making 8 and 7 markers, respectively, while Deleon Guererro and Sasamoto chipped in with 4 apiece. Jin paced SDA with his 8 points.

Meanwhile, MCS had a sweep yesterday after prevailing, too in the girls division game, 30-19.

Casey Pathil led the Lady Knights’ charge with her 13 points, while Brandie Matsumoto and Kaithlyn Chavez combined for 13 more points for the visiting team.

With the win, MCS evened its record to 2-2 while the Lady Guardians absorbed their fourth loss in five games.

Meanwhile, at the Saipan International School’s court, the Geckos whipped Northern Marianas International School, 51-25.

The Phoenix kept the game close at the end of the first half, as SIS was only ahead by 4, 16-12. However, the Geckos pulled away in the second half to rout NMIS and improve their record to 4-2. The Phoenix dropped to a 1-6 slate.

Daniel Nam had 16 of his 20 points in the second half to tow SIS to victory. Danny Lee and Dylan Mister also finished in double digits, as the former registered 13 markers and the latter logged 10 points. Justin Mateo and Eddie Valdoz had 12 and 11 points, respectively, in a losing effort for NMIS.

Meanwhile, SIS will host Agape Christian School tomorrow, while NMIS will play against SDA at the Guardians’ court, and Saipan Community School will battle Grace Christian Academy at the Tsunamis’ court in Susupe.

MCS 30—Galang 8, Naraja 7, Deleon Guerrero 4, Sasamoto 4, Cepeda 3, Hong 2, Mercado 2.
SDA 13—Jin 8, K. Rechucher 3, H. Rechucher 2.
Scoring by quarters: 11-2, 15-6, 17-8, 30-13.

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Korean Football Association on Saipan’s Don Cabrera kicks the ball during their Division A game against Matansa Football Club in the 2019 Spring Men’s M-League last April 14 at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. KFAS will face the Old B Bank this Thursday to start the playoff round in the league. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The 2019 Spring Men’s M-League will return to action this Thursday with Division A teams starting the playoff round at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

Kicking off the single-elimination playoffs of the league that took a brief break last Sunday in observance of the Lenten season, are the Old B Bank and Korean Football Association, as they square off at 6:30pm and battle for one of the three remaining Final Four berths in Division A.

The Old B Bank finished third in the team standings after the round-robin regular season, earning a 3-0-3 win-draw-loss record, while KFAS was ranked No. 6, avoiding the cellar after defeating Matansa last April 14 and ending up with a 1-1-4 mark.

The winner of the Old B Bank-KFAS playoff match will challenge No. 1 CNMI Boys U18 National Team for the finals slot in the May 5 match. The NMI U18 drew a bye at the start of the playoffs and automatically marched into the semifinals after registering the division best and perfect 6-0-0 record.

Other first round playoff pairings are TanHoldings Football Club vs Kanoa FC and Paire against Matansa. Both games will be played this Sunday with TanHoldings and Kanoa colliding at 3pm and Paire and Matansa meeting at 5pm. Paire placed second in the team standings with its 5-0-1 mark to set up a make-or-break game against the last-ranked Matansa, which has yet to win this season. TanHoldings matched Old B Bank’s record, but lost the tiebreak (goal difference) and fell to No. 4, while Kanoa finished fifth with its 2-1-3 card.

Victors in Sunday’s pair of matches in Division A will cross path on May 5 at 3pm for the other finals berth.

Meanwhile, Division B will start its playoff round this Sunday.

No. 1 Shirley’s FC will take on No. 4 CNMI Women’s National Team at 7pm, while No. 2 Sun Palace will fight No. 3 Pacific Islands Club at 1pm. Winners of these matches will square off on May 19 for the division championship this season.

Shirley’s wrapped up the regular season with a 5-0-1 record, while Sun Palace held at 4-0-2 slate, and PIC had a 3-0-3 card. The CNMI Women’s National Team failed to win a single match in the regular season.

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Anthony Gregoire, seen here going for a return in a tournament last month, won his first U14 singles title this season after beating David Kwon last Sunday in the 2019 DFS CNMI Junior Championships at the American Memorial Park tennis courts. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Anthony Gregoire and David Kwon had a duel for the ages with the former escaping with a 6-3, 2-6, 22-20 victory to take the boys U14 singles title in the 2019 DFS CNMI Junior Championships last Sunday at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

Yes, the scores were 22-20 in the super-tiebreaker third set, as the two players went back and forth in the decider that seemingly had no ending until Gregoire hit a volley to finally wrap up the game after nearly three hours.

From left, runners-up Anthony Gregoire and Juncheol Hwang and champions Sam Ryu and Sean Lee pose for a photo after receiving their medals during the awards ceremony for the boys U18 singles event of the 2019 DFS CNMI Junior Championships last Sunday at the American Memorial Park tennis courts. (Contributed Photo)

“I approached the net and I made him go to the right side, while I dropped the volley to the left,” said Gregoire, adding that it took them around 45 minutes to finish just the super-tiebreaker third set

The hard-earned win gave Gregoire a perfect 3-0 record in the round-robin competition and his first championship in the division in the last local tournament of the season. The tiring victory was also the only extended match Gregoire played in the age group, as he earlier dominated Cory Lee, 6-0, 6-0, and Eubin Park, 6-0, 6-0. Kwon routed, too Park, 6-0, 6-0, and Lee, 6-1, 6-0, to set up the Sunday showdown against Gregoire for the division championship.

“It felt great to come out on top of a tough game. I have a very strong opponent and that made the victory even more special,” the Saipan International School student said.

Meanwhile, after his title win in the boys U14 singles, Gregoire returned to the AMP court in the afternoon to play in the U18 doubles finals. He teamed up with U12 player Juncheol Hwang and they arranged a finals match against U16’s Sam Ryu and Sean Lee after stunning No. 2 seed Isaac Heo and Kwon, 6-4, 6-4.

Lee and Ryu went on to foil Gregoire and Hwang’s bid for another upset after registering a 6-4, 6-1 triumph in the finale. The eventual champions made it to the title game after eliminating Hyumin Cho and Alex Park, 6-1, 6-2. Park and Cho, before losing in the semis, downed Gang Min Kim and Jun Wang, 6-3, 7-5.

Kim and Wang ended up in last place in the division, while Kwon and Heo were ranked third after a free victory (walkover) against Park and Cho in the consolation match last weekend.

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The Public School System Interscholastic Outrigger Canoe Competition will start its series of races this Saturday at Kilili Beach.

The first leg will feature sprints events and will run from 8am to 11:30am. The second leg is set for May 4 and will also have sprint races, while the long distance event is scheduled for May 18. The season will then conclude on May 25 with the double-point sprint championships.

Northern Marianas National Paddle Sports Federation will sanction the races and will assists PSS in holding the competition for high school students. (Saipan Tribune)

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DC’s Gerald Flores, right, drives against IT&E defenders during their game in the Civic Center caging last Sunday at the Civic Center Basketball Court. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Loving Hands and DC earned double-digit winning margins in their respective games in the 2019 Civic Center Inter-color Basketball League last Sunday at the Civic Center Basketball Court.

Loving Hands outclassed Far East in the second game, 86-76, while DC walloped IT&E in the curtain-raiser, 82-50.

Loving Hands’ third-quarter surge fueled its 10-point victory.

Ahead by only 5 at the end of the first half, 42-37, Loving Hands scored 24 points in the penultimate canto—the most points it delivered in a quarter—to take a 66-55 lead. Adi Ordona led Loving Hands’ third-quarter assault after making 7 points, while June Alipio and Jun Tabora added 4 markers each, and four others contributed at least one field goal apiece.

In contrast, only Andy Mortos and Ronald Rueda hit more than two field goals for Far East with the former recording 8 points and the latter chipping in 4. Far East never managed to catch up in the fourth period after Mortos was held to a pair of free throws and Rueda had another 4-point output after finishing the half with 14.

Loving Hands kept its safe distance in the fourth canto behind James Villacrusis’ 6 points and combined 8 markers from Alex Ocampo and James Kintz.

Kintz finished in double figures with his 12 points, while Ordona and Olan Tengco had 18 and 14, respectively for Loving Hands.

Rueda delivered 22 markers for Far East, while Austin Sahagun added 18.

Meanwhile, in the first game, DC leaned on its young guns to breeze past IT&E right from the opening tip.

Matt Duenas led DC with his 17 points, while Gerald Flores and Jack Aranda registered 14 markers apiece. Jaymark De Guzman and Sean Rabasto also finished in double figures for DC’s balance attack, as the former netted 13 and the latter logged 10 points.

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Juncheol Hwang gets ready to serve to Nason Wessel in their boys U12 singles title game in the 2019 DFS CNMI Junior Championships last Sunday at the American Memorial Park tennis courts. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Juncheol Hwang claimed the boys U12 singles championships in all three competitions under Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association’s calendar of events for the 2018-2019 season.

Hwang earned the sweep following a 6-0, 6-1 triumph over perennial rival Nason Wessel in the 2019 DFS CNMI Junior Championships last Sunday at the American Memorial Park tennis courts. Hwang also defeated Wessel, 6-2, 6-3, in the boys U12 singles finale in the 19th Pacific Islands Club Tennis Championships last month, while the former’s first title in the division was recorded in the 2019 White Coconut Tennis Classic in February against June Yu, 6-1, 6-1.

Hwang arranged his second straight finals showdown against Wessel after dominating Wataku Kadokura in the semifinals, 6-0, 6-0. Kadokura marched into the Final Four following a 6-1, 4-6, 10-5 triumph over Kisuk Lee. Wessel, on the other hand, stunned No. 2 seed June Yu in the semis, 6-4, 6-3, for another title duel with Hwang. Yu settled the for the third place honors after downing Kadokura, 6-4, 6-4.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Dana Lee took the girls U12 singles crown after defeating the unranked Hoo Wang in the finals, 6-3, 6-0.

Lee barged into the championship game after prevailing against Seiyul Hong, 6-3, 7-5, while Wang advanced off a walkover win against No. 1 seed Irin Chung. Before losing in the semifinals, Wang won over Anna Kwon, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 10-7, while Hong outclassed Savita Sikkel, 6-4, 6-4. Hong ended up in third place, while Sikkel triumphed in the other consolation match after outlasting Kwon, 4-6, 6-4, 12-10.

In other results, Lee earned twin wins in the U12 age group, as she and Irin Chung edged Sikkel and Wang in the doubles, 6-3, 7-5.

In the girls U14 singles, which had a round-robin format, Hyejin Elliot notched the division title after beating Serin Chung, 6-2, 6-0, and Helen Kim, 6-1, 6-0. Kim got the runner-up honors after edging Chung, 6-3, 6-2.

Elliot also bagged the girls U18 doubles championship with Maria Gregoire as the duo was undefeated in the round-robin contest. Elliot and Gregoire prevailed over Serin and Malika Miyawaki, 6-3, 6-2, and Hong and Kim, 6-2, 6-0. Chung and Miyawaki upended Hong and Kim, 6-1, 6-1, to place second.

Miyawaki and Gregoire played in the girls U18 singles division, too with the former winning the head-to-head match, 6-0, 6-1.

In the girls U10 singles, Lina Tsukagoshi earned a 2-0 mark to rule the division. She won over Ellie Cho, 6-2, and Eunbeen Hwang, 6-1.

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McDonald’s closer Dillon Santos prepares to deliver a pitch during the bottom of the fifth inning of 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 pounced on the NSA Braves, 16-3, during the lone Majors division game played in the 2019 Saipan Little League Baseball last Saturday at the Capital Hill Ballfield.

McDonald’s saved the best for last, scoring nine runs at the top of the sixth inning for the easy win—the team’s third in four games. Casey Chambers and Kazu Dela Cruz delivered two runs apiece at the top of the sixth, while Dillon Santos, M.J. Tudela, Isaiah Mesa, Ezra Ada, and Champ Aldan added one run each. Santos, Chambers, Tudela, and Dela Cruz also made one RBI apiece in McDonald’s strong finish.

After pounding the Braves at the top of the sixth, Santos completed McDonald’s domination after striking out three batters to end the match.

Santos worked the mound for McDonald’s in three innings and threw a one-hitter, while fanning 10 batters. With Santos pitching, the Braves failed to score and reached third base only once. The McDonald’s closer struck out Eric Camacho and Marino Santos for a 1-2-3 inning in third, as leadoff batter Fabio Norita earlier flied out. Santos then gave up a single to leadoff batter Aldrin Flores in the fourth before fanning Jacob Babauta and Willy Lieto, while Nick Taisacan went down on a 4-3 play to end the inning.

It was also a quick fifth inning for the Braves with Santos striking out Kallan Sadley and Norita after leadoff Stanley Iakopo flied out at second. The same thing happened in the last inning with the Braves done after only three batters.

Santos and starting pitcher Mesa combined for 15 strikeouts. Mesa gave up no hits and earned runs, as the Braves’ three runs were scored off errors at first and second base. Iakopo and Norita reached at the bottom of the first inning off McDonald’s booboo at second base, while Babauta also scored in the second inning from their foes’ error at first.

The pair of runs at the bottom of the first inning gave the Braves the temporary lead, as earlier at the top, only Chambers scored for McDonald’s. However, McDonald’s quickly grabbed the upper hand with a four-run top of the second and never looked back. Jordan Agulto had a two-run double in the second inning and also reached off Chamber’s double, while the latter scored from a wild pitch for McDonald’s 5-3 advantage after two complete innings.

McDonald’s then registered one run each in the third (Lance Acosta’s RBI single) and fourth (Santos’ run off the Braves’ miscue at first base), while the Braves failed to counter the rest of the way, allowing the former to cruise to victory.

Meanwhile, the Falcons got a free win last Saturday after the JZ Twins forfeited the curtain-raiser in the Majors division last weekend.

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Saipan Community School’s Isaiah Aleksenko, right, drives against a Grace Christian Academy defender during their game in the CCOPSA middle school caging yesterday at the SCS’ court in Susupe. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Saipan Community School gutted out a 26-24 victory over Grace Christian Academy in the Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League yesterday at SCS’ court.

Behind by 8 after the first half, 12-20, SCS showed persistence on both ends of the floor in the second to complete the spirited come-from-behind win.

Isaiah Aleksenko nailed the go-ahead, as he converted a layup, a few minutes after Steve Adriatico tied the game for GCA with a 15-foot jumper. Before Aleksenko’s dagger and Adriatico’s equalizer, Charlie McDonald barreled his way through multiple GCA defenders and converted an and-1 play to put the Tsunamis on top, 24-22 lead.

McDonald also led SCS’ uphill climb in the third quarter, as he nailed a floater and a layup to move his team within 6, 16-22. Aleksenko and Miles Borja then chipped in one field goal apiece, while McDonald split his charities, cutting the deficit to 21-22, heading into the last period.

In the fourth quarter, SCS managed to overtake GCA and stole the win, thanks to McDonald and Aleksenko. McDonald led all scorers with his 14 points, while Aleksenko had 10, 6 of them came in the final canto.

Justin and Jason Du churned out 8 and 6 points for the Eagles, respectively, but had a meltdown in the second half.

With SCS stealing one from GCA, the Tsunamis improved to a 2-5 record. The Eagles still have a better record at 3-3.

Meanwhile, Agape Christian School continued its dominance in the boys division after hammering Saipan International School, 51-11.

David Zhang caught fire early and rattled off 10 points in the first period. He and Eason Tang carried the offensive load for the Torchbearers, who raced to a 14-0 lead and kept pounding the Geckos in the remaining quarters for the easy win.

Zhang finished with a game-high 26 points, while Tang contributed 12 markers, as Agape now holds a 7-0 record. SIS fell to a 4-3 card.

In other results, Northern Marianas International School routed Seventh Day Adventist, 34-11, at the latter’s court in Chalan Kiya.

Eddie Valdoz and Justin Mateo spearheaded the Phoenix’s winning cause after scoring 12 points apiece, while J.P. Pineda and John Balgos combined for 10. NMIS snapped its six-game losing skid and got its second win, while SDA continued its free fall, dropping to 1-7 record.

Games in the middle school league will continue tomorrow with GCA and Agape squaring off in a double-header at the former’s court in Navy Hill, while SDA will host the Geckos.

Game 1
SCS 26—McDonald 14, Aleksenko 10, Borja 2.
GCA 24—Justin Du 8, Jason Du 6, Daproza 4, Adriatico 2, Lerio 2, Woo 2.
Scoring by quarters: 6-10, 12-20, 21-22, 26-24

Game 2
ACS 51—Zhang 26, Tang 12, Bao 7, Dai 4, Miao 2
SIS 11—Nam 6, Chambers 3, Lee 2.
Scoring by quarters: 14-0, 23-6, 35-8, 51-11

Game 3
NMIS 34— Valdoz 12, Mateo 12, Pineda 6, Balgos 4.
SDA 11—Kaito Rechucher 5, Jin 4, Son 2.
Scoring by quarters: 8-5, 20-7, 32-7, 34-11

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MP United Football Club’s Richard Steele, left, dribbles past a Kanoa FC defender during their game in the boys U15 division of the 2019 NMIFA Spring Youth League, which will resume this weekend at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Contributed Photo)

Games in the 2019 NMIFA Spring Youth League will resume this weekend with MP United Football Club aiming to clinch the boys U18 division crown when it takes on TanHoldings Football Club tomorrow at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

The possible title-deciding match is set for 5:30pm and will be followed by the 7:17pm tiff between the CNMI Boys U15 National Team and Matansa.

MP United holds an impressive 6-0-0 win-draw-loss, with two matches left (including tomorrow’s game) in its schedule in the double round-robin competition, which took a brief break last weekend in observance of the Lenten season.

A victory or even a draw against TanHoldings, which owns a 4-0-2 mark, will hand MP United back-to-back division championships. MP United ruled the 2018 spring season after earning a 7-1-0 card, two victories ahead of TanHoldings (5-1-2).

After its crucial game against TanHoldings tomorrow, MP United will close out the season on May 16 when it duels the winless CNMI U15 (0-0-5). The May 6 showdown between MP United and CNMI U15 along with the Matansa-Kanoa match were originally set for May 3, but were rescheduled, as Northern Mariana Islands Football Association will be participating in the Marianas March Against Cancer.

After the May 3 cancelation, the division will go back to its original Friday schedule with TanHoldings playing its last game against Matansa and Kanoa having its penultimate match versus the CNMI U15.

Also rescheduled from May 3 to May 16 were the Matansa-Kanoa and MP United-Southern United duels in the girls U19 futsal division, while the April 26 matches (TanHoldings vs MP United and Southern United against Matansa) will go ahead as set.

With Kanoa drawing a bye tomorrow, it will have to wait for its May 10 match against Southern United to secure the division title. Kanoa holds a 6-0-0 record, two wins ahead of MP United (4-0-2).

In other divisions, Kanoa had already bagged the co-ed U12A crown and the club’s squads are in contention for the boys U15 and girls U16 titles. Kanoa owns a 7-0-0 mark in the co-edU12 division with three games left in the competition. In the boys U15, Kanoa also has a 7-0-0 slate, just one victory ahead of MP United (6-0-1), while Kanoa (5-1-1) is ranked second in the girls U16 behind Southern United (6-1-0). Both the boys U15 and girls U16 divisions have three playing days left in the season.

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Seven players have already secured spots on the CNMI National Tennis Team that will compete in the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa this summer.

Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association official and long-time national coach Jeff Race said the Commonwealth’s women’s crew will be led by ITF World (junior) No. 127 Carol Lee, while other members of the squad are Tania Tan, Malika Miyawaki, and Isabel Heras. As for the men’s group, ITF World (pro) No. 65 Colin Sinclair will banner the team and will be joined by Robbie Schorr and Bobby Cruz. One more slot is left on the men’s squad and two junior players are battling for the remaining spot.

Among the seven players, the pressure to deliver medals for the CNMI from the Pacific Games falls on Sinclair’s shoulders, as he is the highest-ranked male player in the region. He has been competing in ITF World Tennis Tour since 2012 and has been successful in the previous two seasons. The 25-year-old’s recent victory was in the $15,000 Claremont Club Pro Classic in California in February this year, as he clinched the singles title of the hard court event. Then last month, Sinclair also saw action in Mildura, Australia and Shenzhen and Zhangliagang, China.

In the women’s division, the CNMI will be pinning its hopes on Lee, who is now in Europe to play in tournaments in Italy and Belgium. The 17-year-old will be competing in the 36th Torneo Bayer di Salsomaggiore in Parma, Italy this weekend. Last month, Lee trained at the International Tennis Federation/Confederation of African Tennis Regional Training Centre in Morocco and won her first tournament of the season after bagging the singles title in the ITF/CAT North African Circuit in Casablanca. She is the only Pacific Oceania junior player joining various tournaments in Morocco and Europe.

Lee will be reunited with Schorr at the ITF/Oceania Tennis Federation’s regional facility in Fiji this June, as the two CNMI bets prepare for the Pacific Games that will run from July 7 to 20.

The rest of the team will work with Race. Miyawaki and Tan played in some junior events this season and will participate in the Saipan-hosted ITF Juniors world ranking event next month, while Cruz also appeared in a couple of tournaments early this year. Cruz last represented the CNMI in tennis during the 2010 Micronesian Games in Palau where he won a bronze medal.

Meanwhile, Heras will be joining the on-island members of the team next month, as she will fly in from Utah. The 19-year-old is on her rookie year with the Dixie State University in the NCAA Division II and so far has a notable performance with the Trailblazers.

Heras won a singles match in Dixie State’s come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Colorado Mesa in the season finale last weekend. The freshman and the rest of the Trailblazers will play in the 2019 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships in Grand Junction, Colorado this weekend.

Heras and her teammates on the national squad will be up against players from 16 other countries when the tennis competition takes place from July 9 to 19 at the Apia Park Tennis Courts.

Tennis will have the men’s and women’s singles, doubles and team events, and mixed doubles.

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Runners participating in the 2019 JP Hero Run will receive capes and masks, as the May 18 event follows Marianas March Against Cancer’s theme “Superheroes.” (Contributed Photo)

In line with Marianas March Against Cancer’s theme “Superheroes,” TanHoldings Corp. and the Tan Siu Lin Foundation will be holding the 2019 JP Hero Run on May 18.

The run is held annually in memory of John “JP” Pangelinan, a TanHoldings executive who passed away in 2008 due to cancer. Proceeds from the run will go to the Marianas March Against Cancer, the Commonwealth Cancer Association’s signature fundraising event.

Last year, TanHoldings had the JP Glow Run with runners cruising along Beach Road wearing glow sticks. This year, runners will be in capes and masks, depicting their favorite superheroes.

“We are all heroes for supporting a good cause—the MMAC and CCA. We are inviting everyone to come out and join the JP Hero Run,” TanHoldings Community Relations director Carli Sablan said.

The run will have two courses. The 1.5K will start and end at the Garapan Fishing Base with a turnaround point just across the True Value Hardware along Beach Road. The 5K course will have the same start/finish line with a turnaround point just past the Quartermaster Road intersection.

Registration forms are available at the TanHoldings Corporate Affairs Office on the second floor of JP Center in Beach Road, Garapan and can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/jprun2019form. Registration is only $10 if made by noon on May 17 and $15 on race day. Participants will receive an event T-shirt plus cape and mask. They will also get a raffle ticket for a chance to win a round-trip ticket to Manila.

Registration starts at 5am, while the race will begin at 6am.

For more information, call 235-0561 extension 100 or 116. (PR)

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Frank “The Crank” Camacho, left, poses with other standouts at Team Oyama Training Center in Orange County, California during a break in their training session last week. (Contributed Photo)

Frank “The Crank” Camacho is attending training camp in California to prepare for a possible Ultimate Fighting Championship fight in June.

Camacho is working out with renowned MMA coach Colin Oyama, who has been training top-level fighters for more than two decades and operates the Team Oyama Training Center in Orange County.

“We train two to three times a day and have two days off a week. We do everything from blending in striking to wrestling and grappling. I am here for about six to eight weeks while prepping and locking in a UFC bout,” said Camacho, who re-signed a four-fight deal with UFC early this year and is aiming to return to the octagon cage in June.

“Coach Oyama has coached veterans like UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson, UFC light heavyweight champ Tito Ortiz, and so much more. The past week has been eye opening,” the Marianas warrior said.

Camacho added that he likes the direction of his training session with Oyama.

“I love having the instruction of coach Oyama. I’m a fighter. I know how to fight. But he’s showing me the WAY of the fight. Not changing my style, just fine-tuning my techniques and strategies,” the 29-year-old said.

At the training camp, Camacho also focuses on his mental strength.

“I want to fully immerse myself in the MMA fight training camp. Drill and practice the strategy game plan for my next bout. The mental side of the fight is very intriguing to me and coach Oyama breaks it down in my language,” the welterweight fighter said.

Camacho holds a 21-7 record and hopes to get back on track after his back-to-back losses last year. He bowed to Geoff Neal in the UFC 228: Woodley vs Till in Dallas last Sept. 8 and to Drew Dober in UFC on Fox 27: Jacare vs Brunson 2 in North Carolina last Jan. 27.

The bouts against Dober and Neal were part of Camacho’s first four-fight contract with UFC. He won his second assignment with the MMA promotion company in November 2017 when he defeated Australia’s Damien Brown via split decision in UFC Fight Night 121 in Sydney. Before his lone victory, Camacho lost his UFC debut to China’s Jingliang Li in UFC Fight Night 111 in Singapore. The Marianas fighter earned Fight of the Night honors in his first three bouts and is thankful for the opportunity to showcase the islanders’ fighting spirit in UFC.

“Just want to say thank you to my wife, Sarah, for being a huge supporter in my career and holding down the fort. The fighter lifestyle is a tough one, but I know no better way of representing the Marianas to the best of my ability but in the UFC. To my mom dad, family, the taangs, training partners back home, and the people of the Marianas… sen dunkalu na si yuus maase!”

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A Saipan International School student competes in the long jump qualifier of the 2019 Public School System/McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships last month at the Oleai Sports Complex. (Contributed Photo)

Saipan International School earned the most qualifying slots in the U7 division of the 2019 Public School System/McDonald’s All Schools Track and Field Championships.

The Geckos bagged 32 berths to the eighth individual events (girls and boys) that will be played in the championships set for May 3 and 4 at the Oleai Sports Complex. William S. Reyes Elementary got the second most entries with 19, while Koblerville Elementary School is at close third with 18 slots. Tinian and Rota also gained qualifying berths along with students from Saipan Community School, San Vicente, Agape Christian School, Kagman, Brilliant Star School, and Mt. Carmel School.

The girls U7 team of SIS will be led by Beatrice Gross, who notched slots in the four running events and two field events. She had the fastest qualifying times in the 60m run (11.24 seconds), 100m (18.59 seconds), 200m (42.11 seconds), and 1,500m (13:51.68), topped the long jump trial (2.74 meters), and finished third in the softball throw (13.14m).

The qualifiers were selected after a series of trials last March and this month with Saipan schools receiving six slots and Tinian and Rota getting one apiece. In case Rota and Tinian qualifiers did not make it to the championships next weekend, Saipan students will take their spots. There maybe changes in the qualifiers list, as the organizing Northern Marianas Athletics and PSS are confirming the results with the school coaches/representatives.

Meanwhile, other qualifiers in the 60m run are Gross’ schoolmate Lucy Woo, Koblerville’s Sapalyn Apas, SCS’ Allie Brasuell, San Vicente’s Keniye Arriola, WSR’s Harlow Pangelinan, Tinian’s Kaisa San Nicolas, and Rota’s Niarah Muna. Apas, Brasuell, Pangelinan, and San Nicolas also advanced in the 100m run, along with WSR’s Memzie Elieisar, Aliyah Villacrusis, and Rota’s Keisa Atalig.

Familiar names are also in the 200m finals list with Woo, Apas, Pangelinan, Elieisar, Villacrusis, and San Nicolas joining Gross. Completing the roster is Rota’s Krisha Aguero. Woo, Brasuell, Apas, and Elieisar is entered in the 400m run, too, while Mt. Carmel’s Neya Tagabuel also qualified. In the 800m run, Beatrice will be up against her younger sister Windsor, Woo, WSR’s Cina Martino, and the representatives of Rota and Tinian.

In the long jump, SIS has three entries in Beatrice, Leilani Ruszala, and Woo, while WSR will be fielding two students—Khristiana Cainiela and Elieisar. Also on the finals list are Brasuell, Apas, and BSS’ Sophia Smith.

The Gross sisters, Apas, San Nicolas, Ruszala, Villacrusis, and Woo are also competing in the softball throw. Other qualifiers are WSR’s Friella Dela Santa and Althea Demapan.

In the boys U7’s softball throw, four qualifiers are from Koblerville—Jephda Hong, Vince Eusebio, Napu Pangelinan, and Justin Defang. Also on the finals list are WSR’s Matthew Antatico, Anthony Guzman, and Mahfoh Ahmmad, SIS’ Oliver McCallion, and Tinian’s Calen Borja.

Hong and Pangelinan also qualified in the long jump along with Kagman’s Tatum Jones, MCS’ Donald Tagabuel, SCS’ Jude Rayphand, Agape’s Daniel Huang, and SIS’ Andre Guerrero and Daniel Kim.

Guerrero made it to the 1,500m run qualifiers list, too and will be joined by his fellow SIS student, Dean Duenas and Agape’s Huang, Ratul Bhuya, Benjamin Cai, and Scott Shi. The trio of Guerrero, Duenas, and Huang will also race in the 800m run and will be up against SIS’ Oliver McCallion and William Hasselback and WSR’s Landin Reyes.

In the four other running events—60m, 100m, 200m, and 400m—Hong led the qualifiers list. The Koblerville runner will face BSS’ Kanoa Owens, Jones, Rayphand, Duenas, Borja, San Vicente’s Jeff Pangelinan, and Rota’s Jace Barcinas. Borja, Hong, Jones, Owens, Rayphand, McCallion, BSS’ Quido Jambor, and Rota’s Kody Mendiola are the qualifiers in the 100m race.

In the 200m run, Hong will still go up against McCallion and Borja, while the finals list also includes Guerrero, Duenas, Jeffrey Pangelinan, Rota’s Dvaun Ogo, and Koblerville’s Worthy Defang. Defang joined Hong in the 400m qualifiers list and they will race against Rayphand, McCallion, Napu Pangelinan, Landin Reyes, and Tinian’s Chates Epity.

Meanwhile, the qualifiers in other age groups in the elementary division (U9 and U11) will be reported in Saipan Tribune next week.

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Agape Christian School’s Eason Tang takes a point-blank shot against a Grace Christian School defender during their game in the CCOPSA middle school caging yesterday at GCA’s court in Navy Hill. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Agape Christian School eased its way to a victory over Grace Christian Academy, 58-16, in the Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Middle School Basketball League yesterday at GCA’s court.

The Torchbearers were off to the races right in the opening tip to take a commanding 27-4 lead in the first half en route to their eighth win in as many games. While Agape kept its streak, GCA absorbed its second straight defeat and fell to a 3-4 record.

Agape managed to control the game early with its grit and hustle as 8 of its 17 points in the first period came from second-chance shots. The Torchbearers’ suffocating defense then stonewalled GCA, as the Eagles didn’t score until midway through the second period.

On offense, Jordan Miao scored 6 straight points to start things off for Agape, while David Zheng added 5 points, and Caleb Cai, Eason Tang and Steve Qiu also made it to the board in the first quarter.

Tang and Zheng continued to build on their lead in the second quarter, as the former cleaned up his teammates’ misses with two putbacks and the latter glided in for two fastbreak layups. Eric Chen made it an 8-0 run for the Torchbearers, as they posted their biggest lead in the first half, 27-0.

The Eagles avoided another shutdown when Ryan Daproza and Justin Du finally hit their target at the halfway mark of the second canto.

Though GCA managed to end its silence and nailed a couple more baskets in the third period, the Eagles still fell behind, as Zheng, Hu, Miao, and Tang teamed up in handing Agape a 42-12 advantage, heading to the fourth.

Tang went on to finish off GCA in the final canto after recording 10 points.

Zheng led all scorers with his 18 points, while Tang and Miao chipped in with 14 and 12 markers, respectively.

Meanwhile, Agape completed a sweep yesterday after prevailing in the girls division match, 32-16.

Jenny Lin carried Agape to victory, as she accounted for 26 of the team’s total points. Elvira Zhang, Mei Ou, and Kristy Wang also scored in Agape’s easy win.

The Lady Torchbearers now hold a division best 3-0 record, while the Lady Eagles dropped to a 1-3 mark.

Boys Division
ACS 58—Zheng 18, Tang 14, Miao 12, Cai 4, Bao 2, Hu 2, Liang 2, Qiu 2.
GCA 16—Daproza 5, Alepuyo 4, Lerio 4, Yumul 2 Justin Du 1.
Scoring by quarters: 17-0, 27-4, 42-12, 58-16.

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Those interested in joining KONQER Saipan “Apocalypse” obstacle course event are encouraged to register before May 1 to get the low early registration fees, according to KONQER chief experience officer Kaz Endo.

“Currently, registration fees are as low as $25 per person for the event only, but the individual admission fees will increase on May 1,” said Endo. “Take advantage of this early bird pricing before it’s too late!”

KONQER Saipan “Apocalypse” is set for May 25 at 9am, starting at American Memorial Park.

Individual and team registration forms are available at konqersports.com, and business teams can be coordinated directly by emailing support@konqersports.com. All kids 17 and under are free to join, but they must be registered in advance.

KONQER Saipan is presented by Marianas Visitors Authority and sponsored by Bank of Guam, Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, IT&E, American President Lines, Coors Light, Marianas Variety, Roil Soil, Saipan Brewing Company, Tribe Marianas, Paradise Awnings, DR LLC, Vantage Advertising, GoPro, and TriVision Media Group. (PR)

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Hyatt Regency Saipan general manager Nick Nishikawa, left, and his staff join the flight winners in the 23rd Hyatt Regency Saipan Charity Golf Classic for a group photo during the awards ceremony of the event last Saturday at Hyatt poolside. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Pacific Games-bound Edward Lee, Sebastian Camacho, and Joe “Kamikaze” Camacho led the winners in the 23rd Hyatt Regency Saipan Charity Golf Classic held last Saturday on the west course of the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.

Lee ruled the Championship Flight after beating perennial rival J.J. Atalig, who will team up with the former, Sebastian, Joe, and Ryan Kim when they represent the CNMI in the quadrennial event in Apia, Samoa this summer. Lee and Atalig shot identical gross scores of 3-over par 75, but the junior golfer took the first place honors after prevailing in the scorecard tiebreak (hole No. 4). The eventual champion saved par on the par-4, 337-yard deciding hole, while Atalig had a bogey. William Retardo rounded out the Top 3 in the Championship Flight after firing a 4-over 76.

Joe also carded a 4-over par 76 for a six-shot win over Eun Taeck Jung (82) in the Senior Flight. Leonard Ka’ae posted an 83 to complete the Top 3 finish in the division, which had 11 participants.

In the A Flight, Sebastian bested 15 other golfers to clinch first place. The Grace Christian Academy logged a 3-over par 75, beating Tim Goodwin by three strokes. Peter “Dung Tenorio” finished third after registering a 79.

Meanwhile, other first place finishers in the tournament that aimed to raise funds for various non-profit groups in the community, were Carl Hocog, Woo Cheol Choi, and Shiori Onue.

Onue won the Ladies Flight after shooting a 91 and was joined in the podium by Kanae Quinn and Kwon Yong Sook. Choi, on the other hand, ruled the loaded C Flight after recording an 84—two strokes ahead of Keith Hattig and Nick Reyes. Hattig won the tiebreak (scorecard) for second place after making a bogey on hole No. 10 against the double bogey of Reyes.

There was also a deadlock in B Flight with Hocog winning, thanks to his par on hole No. 4. The Department of Public Safety officer and Guam’s Victor Salas had similar scores of 80, four shots ahead of third placer Vicente Duenas.

The Top 3 finishers in each flight received in-kind prizes from Hyatt Regency Saipan and other tournament sponsors. Hyatt Regency Saipan general manager Nick Nishikawa led the presentation of prizes to the Top 3 finishers in each flight.

“It was a very successful tournament because of the golfers, sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and the hard working Hyatt staff. This is our 23rd year and we will have it for more years because Hyatt wants to continue serving our community,” said Nishikawa, adding that they will try to find a way to accommodate more players next year.

“Slots are limited and there are still more players who want to join the tournament, so maybe next year, we will do our best to make it a bigger competition,” the Hyatt Regency Saipan official said.

More than 140 golfers joined last Saturday’s event with several others still opted to make the trip to the Kagman facility and take their chances on the long waiting list in case those who registered early won’t show up.

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