MP Raiders in Guam for YIMPACT 9th Annual Summer Camp

The MP Raiders basketball club, led by coach Marlene Lumabi, flew to Guam yesterday with six players to take part in the YIMPACT 9th Annual Summer Camp, which runs today, Monday, May 25 to Sunday, May 31 at the George Washington High School Gymnasium.

Representing the Raiders are Edward Manibusan, Marc Tengco, Nolan Cultura, Kenny Laquian, Derrick Tenorio, and Dane Tibayan, all looking to sharpen their skills and gain experience against a different level of competition outside the CNMI.

Hernando L. Planells Jr., Technical Director for the NBA Basketball School in Dubai and the UAE, is serving as the camp’s special guest.

Lumabi said the experience is about more than just skill work. “Camps like this expose players to different coaching styles, faster pace, higher competition, and new perspectives on the game,” she said. “As a program, we believe development happens when athletes are challenged and placed in environments that push them beyond their comfort zone.”

She added that despite ongoing recovery at home following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the group made it a priority to attend. “Even after the challenges and recovery following the typhoon, we still made it a priority to make this trip and camp happen because we believed the experience would be valuable for our athletes,” Lumabi said. “It was important for us to continue creating opportunities for them despite the circumstances.”

Players were selected based on commitment, work ethic, attitude, coachability, and consistency, with the program aiming to send athletes who represent MP Raiders values on and off the court.

Lumabi said the goal is for the athletes to return with improved confidence, discipline, and a better understanding of what it takes to compete at a higher level.

“Absolutely. We hope this is only the beginning. Our goal is to continue building relationships and creating pathways that allow CNMI athletes to gain more exposure, compete internationally, and experience opportunities that help them grow both as players and individuals,” she said, when asked about future opportunities for similar exposure trips.