The Sports Leigh-Out: January 17-23

Hafa Adai yan Tirow sports fans, this is Leigh Gases bringing you Marianas Press’ weekly wrap up—the Sports Leigh-Out for the week of January 17-23.

Let’s take a closer look at what our athletes have been up to in off-island competitions and on their home turf—whether it’s on the pitch, mat, courts, fields, track, or the beautiful ocean.

Priority Care puts CHCC on life support , 107-57, for finals spot

It was an intense battle between front liners as Priority Care left CHCC on life support, 107-57, in their semis last Wednesday in the 2nd Annual R&J Wine and Liquor Inter-Gov’t/Business League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

CHCC were the underdogs as a middle of the pack team, but made it to the semis after a huge upset against top contender CPA, 75-68, last Monday.

CHCC tried to make a run for another upset, but Priority Care fired on all cylinders and was led by sharpshooter Steve King who put up 38 points.

Priority Care is going up against the league’s No. 1 team, Marpac-Budweiser in the finals set for Saturday, Jan. 25 at 5pm.

SIS Tennis Tourney Week 1 concludes

The annual sports fundraiser for the Saipan International School's student council— the 2025 SIS Student Council Tennis Tournament concluded its Week 1 juniors division last Sunday held at the American Memorial Park tennis courts and the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan tennis courts.

June Yu triumphed in the boys 18 singles division after a forfeit by opponent Ryan Choi; Stella Choi won first place in the girls 16 singles division, while second place went to Amy Park.

In the boys 14 singles, Minjoon Jeon took it all, as Vivian Chung topped the girls 14 singles.

In the younger age groups, Dongmin Jang was first place in the boys 12, and Evan Zhang settled for second. In the girls 12, Fiona Yu took first place, while Harper Loken got second.

In the doubles divisions, U14 mixed doubles champions were Chung and Matt Zhu. U12 mixed doubles winners were Seungwoo Lee and Eva Shin, and U18 mixed doubles first place were Sui Yi and Lina Tsukagoshi.

Yohan won the mini tennis portion of the event.

The tourney started last Friday and continued on Saturday and Sunday. Week 2’s adult division starts today, Jan. 24, and will continue tomorrow until Sunday.

MCS wins girls v-ball tiara

A new champion emerged as the Mount Carmel School Lady Knights stood firm against a relentless Tanapag Middle School Tatagas team during a nail-biting finals in the NMIVA-PSS Interscholastic Girls Middle School Volleyball League 2024-2025 at the Marianas High School Gymnasium last Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Knights had a one set advantage after they coasted undefeated through the season and only needed to win two sets in the best-of-five championship series.

They won it all after a deciding fifth set, but they went through the wringer against a fiery TMS squad. The Tatagas secured the first, 21-18, but MCS bounced back in the second, 21-15. MCS couldn’t quite shake off TMS in the third though as they forced a final set in a close match, 23-21. After almost two hours, MCS finally took home the trophy after they clinched the last set, 15-8.

MCS’ roster, was made up of Mia Guerrero, Miana Dela Cruz, Adele Kautz, Claudine Masga, O-ren Sasamoto, Neia Tagabuel, Paige Muna, Aliyani Basa, Zoey Kwak, Sofia Dimafelix, Trisha Abuan, and Heaven Deleon Guerrero. They were coached by Francis San Nicolas.

Third place went to Grace Christian Academy Lady Eagles.

Japanese pro baseball players train for 3 weeks in Saipan

The tropical climate of Saipan, with its lush jungles and crystal-clear waters, has long attracted athletes seeking a place to train during their off-season and to take a break from their cold winters.

Professional baseball teams from Japan and South Korea have taken advantage of Saipan’s proximity and ideal weather conditions, with the latest to train on island are three players from the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Pacific League.

The three players—31-year-old catcher Takaya Tanaka, 32-year-old pitcher Tomohito Sakai, and 28-year-old pitcher Ryuji Komago—have trained on Saipan for three weeks under the guidance of their manager and trainer Kazuki Yoshikawa since Jan. 2, with their departure scheduled for today, Jan. 24.

During their stay, the players have not only been training at the baseball field, the adjacent track, and working out at Gold’s Gym, they’ve also found time for some rest and relaxation. One of their favorite spots is Mañagaha Island, with its clear, turquoise waters. They’ve also enjoyed other beaches around Saipan, engaging in activities like snorkeling, diving, or simply soaking up the sun.