2025 APEC Women’s/U18 Boys Basketball League tips off

More basketball is underway as the 2025 APEC Women’s/U18 Boys Basketball League tipped off with 13 teams at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium last April 19.

The league is being held in collaboration with the Northern Marianas Basketball Federation and APEC.

With the four games that were played on their opening day, Air Ballers won over Hericanes, 47-35, and Prime beat MP Raiders, 43-31 in the women’s division. In the U18 division, Rollers 1 were victorious over Hardteye Raiders, while Kagman defeated Rollers 4, 42-30.

The U18 division boasts eight teams—Hardteye Raiders, Rollers 1, Rollers, 2, Rollers 3, Rollers 4, Madflex 1, Madflex 2, and Kagman. The women’s division consists of five teams—Hericanes, Air Ballers, MP Raiders, Beach Front Ballers, and Prime.

The opening ceremony had a colorful parade of teams, a drawing for the games that day, and remarks by NMIBF members.

In the opening remarks by NMIBF secretary Mike Mercado, he said, “Mistakes are part of the journey. What matters is that we learn from them and use those lessons to improve. Let’s support each other, show respect, and uphold the highest standard of sportsmanship both on and off the court. Remember, we are opponents, not enemies. We are here to challenge each other—to push each other to be better, and to make lasting memories.”

League organizer Irish Pagarao said the purpose of the league is to promote more basketball opportunities for women and the youth, as there are already consistent basketball leagues for men year round.

Pagarao expressed her desire to revive the women’s league following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with plans to make it an annual event. “Hopefully, we’ll have more sponsors so we can continue holding this league every year,” she said.

The main objective of the league, she said, is “to promote a healthy lifestyle. We want to make sure the kids are not always home and on their phone. I want them to go out and play any sport—especially basketball.”

She then thanked the league’s sponsor APEC “for making the league happen. Big thanks also to NMIBF for collaborating with me and all the sponsors that sponsored the teams.”

Catch the action at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium with games played every Saturday until the playoffs on July 19, and the championship rounds on July 26.