The Sports Leigh-Out: January 3-9

Hafa Adai and Tirow sports fans, this is Leigh Gases bringing you Marianas Press’ Sports Leigh-out for the week of January 3-9.

Let’s take a closer look at what our athletes have been up to in off-island competitions, as well as on their home turf—whether it’s the pitch, court, field, track, or the beautiful ocean:

3-peat for MHS in boys soccer

Marianas High School Dolphins secured their third championship in a row as they drowned out Saipan Southern High School Manta Rays, 4-1, in the finals of the NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Boys High School Soccer League 2024-2025 yesterday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

MHS’ Paul Lizama showed off his exceptional skill on the pitch and for his performance, he was awarded the MVP. He also won the Golden Boot Award as he scored the most goals of the season with 21.

Third place was Saipan International School after they overpowered Kagman High School, 13-1.

Read more in the full story to be posted tomorrow.

Anne Lee smacks way to doubles title Down Under

Up-and-coming tennis star Anne Lee is undoubtedly following in the footsteps of her sister Carol, an NCAA tennis prodigy, as she claimed the U14 Premier Series girls doubles championship in the 2025 O8k J250 J125 Margaret Court Cup last Tuesday in Albury, Australia.

The 14-year-old Anne teamed up with No. 2 Kenzy Hussain and beat No. 3 seed Elyssa Aretis and partner Grace Janjua in two sets, 6-4, 7-5. They stamped their way to the finals after they made light work of Alex Chand and Elsie Star, 6-3, 6-3, in the semis.

Anne was part of the Pacific Oceania Team that also won the Division 2 Teams Event title earlier in the tournament that began last Jan. 3. With Anne, the players of the team were made up of Mareko Webb of the Cook Islands, and Hermann Thomsen and Joella Ioane—both from American Samoa.

Carol, at just 12 years old, claimed the girls singles championships in the same event in 2014.

Their father, Dong Min Lee, said in a social media post after Anne’s win, "It feels like just yesterday that our eldest daughter, Carol, won the girls 12 singles title here 11 years ago. Today, our youngest daughter, Anne, won the 14-year-old girls' doubles title at the very same place. I can't believe it. Seeing Anne grow into a wonderful tennis player just like Carol makes me so happy and proud. I hope we can continue to watch both of our daughters enjoy playing tennis for a long time to come.”

Cafe Meraki/Sophia Althea wins U17 title; Elite Team are open champs

Cafe Meraki/Sophia Althea beat Triple R Auto Parts, 101-67, to clinch the U17 Division title of the 2nd Annual SMEC-SMLEG Invitational Basketball Tournament 2024 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium last Sunday.

Cafe Meraki/Sophia Althea’s Dane Tibayan, Carl Sanchez, and Rey Castillo were a triple threat against Triple R as their teamwork and consistency led them to a blowout game from the first half, 50-26.

From there, they attacked the basket with multiple back-to-back shots to further widen their lead and clinch the title with a 34-point deficit. Tibayan led the team with 19 points, followed by Sanchez’ 18, and Castillo’s 11.

Tibayan, for his efforts and stellar performance in the finals, was named the MVP.

In the Mythical Five awards, Tibayan was also named the Best Guard along with Heman Addy; Christian Lucero and Danny Defang were Best Forwards; and Sanchez was Best Center.

Lucero was named the Season MVP, while the Best Coach Award went to Sophia Althea/Cafe Meraki’s Elmer Esdrelon.

Ol’Aces received the Sportsmanship Award.

Third place went to 670 Rollers I, after they beat their brother team 670 Rollers II, 77-76.

In the open division, Elite Team claimed the championship after they beat Unity Trade in a close 77-73 finals.

NMI Men’s National Basketball Team players Chioni Dela Cruz and Coby Santos led their team to victory as they were a force to be reckoned with within the paint and beyond the arc. Dela Cruz lived in the 3-point zone, shooting six 3s, while Santos used his speed and flair to attack the basket.

Dela Cruz led with 27 points and was given the MVP award, while Santos was right behind with 25 points.

The Mythical Five awardees were Douglas Schmidt and Rodel Pastrana as Best Guards; Coby Santos and Marvin Rabauliman were Best Forwards; and Juan Camacho was Best Center.

Schmidt was named the Season MVP.

The Best Coach Award was given to Elite’s player/coach Jack Aranda, while Villaroyal Pawnshop received the Sportsmanship Award.

Saipan Swim Club hosts 1st swim meet of the year

Saipan Swim Club hosted their first swim meet of the year with a 10K and 3K division off the west coast of Saipan last Saturday.

The 10K relay swim was from the Crowne Plaza Resort & Spa Saipan to the Pacific Islands Club Saipan, while the 3K swim for the younger swimmers started at the Sugardock in Chalan Kanoa to PIC as well.

Taiyo Akimaru and Nagisa Litulumar topped the 10K race with a time of 3:21.03, while Moshe Sikkel and Takeru Jim teamed up to swim to second place at 3:33.34. Third place went to Michael Miller and Savita Sikkel who both swam a time of 3:34.59, and Piper Raho and Matthew Szeffler came in at 3:38.04. Zeno Iwami swam one leg for each of the teams.

Lukasz Szeffler, Amethyst Winkfield, and Jonathan Zhang completed the 3K in 1:32.48.

On SCC’s social media post along with the results, SCC said, “Great swim everyone. Saw lots of rays on the way. Thank you to Tony for kayak support, the Winkfields, Szefflers, and the Zhang's for their support on water and land. Last but not least the other moms and dads that came out to support.”

Pirates seize win over Dodgers, 11-10

The defending champions Pirates seized the win against rival Dodgers in a hotly contested game, 11-10, in the continuation of the 2024-2025 SBL Masters League last Wednesday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.

The Dodgers let the game get away from them in the third inning after the Pirates bombarded Dodgers pitching with seven back-to-back runs. At this point, the Pirates owned a comfortable 10-3 lead thanks to Mark Toves, Pete Sablan, Audie Maratita, Eric Palacios, Pete Tomokane, Joey Dela Cruz, J.J. Laniyo, and Derick Sasamoto.

The Dodgers, though down, were not out for the count just yet as they fought to catch their breath and find some life in the final two innings. Derek Aguon, Glen Camacho, and John Acosta got them within four, 6-10, in the sixth. But, the Pirates’ leadoff batter, John Reyes, scored the insurance run that would come in clutch in the last inning.

The Dodgers' momentum carried into the seventh inning, and it seemed like they might stage a comeback to tie the game, but they fell just one run short. Mark Villagomez started things off with a single, followed by Angel Reyes’ double. They both scored, then Jeff Cruz and Aguon got on base and found their way home as well for a 10-11 game. Then, with runners in scoring position and a chance to tie it or take the lead, Pirates’ pitcher Dung Tenorio sealed the final out with a pop out to shortstop.