The Sports Leigh-Out May 24-30

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 May 24-30.

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, pools, or the beautiful ocean.

Guam’s Wells, CNMI’s Lee torches foes in Ring of Fire 3

It was a lit Saturday night as sweat, punches, and kicks flew inside the raucous Garapan Central Park Round House during the blazing Ring of Fire 3 Boxing and Kickboxing competition, which once again pitted fighters from the CNMI and Guam against each other.

In the K-1 boxing main event that burned on until nearly midnight, Guam Muay Thai’s Harry Wells and Latte Built’s Teipo Brazy Asep had everyone who braved the heat on the edge of their seats. Each punch and kick drew oohs and ahhs from the crowd, fueling both fighters as they left everything in the ring.

The young gun—18-year-old Wells—and Asep both delivered scorching performances, but it was Wells who steadily gained momentum in the third and final round as Asep began to cool down. Wells unleashed blow after heated blow, while Asep’s fatigue showed with fewer counters in return.

Asep landed some solid punches of his own and managed to check Wells’ lightning strikes to the body, but Wells stayed fired up until the very end. He doused Asep’s waning energy with sharp jabs to the face and body. After three intense rounds, the judges handed Wells the unanimous decision victory, 30-27.

Team Marianas defends Mich Cup title

Team Marianas held off Unity Trade, 94-84, after the 2025 Michelob Ultra finals that had everyone on the edge of their seat on Wednesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

It was no walk in the park for Team Marianas as Unity Trade started off guns blazing. Team Marianas recently beat them in the semis last May 23, and Unity Trade had revenge on their mind. The lead was never too far away from Unity Trade as for each Team Marianas point, they had an answer. Both the first and second quarter ended in a buzzer beater by Unity Trade players that had Team Marianas scrambling to polish their game plan.

By the end of the first half, Team Marianas only led by five points, 49-44. The third quarter saw both teams struggle with the ball and convert buckets. But, Team Marianas’ Coby Santos kept Unity Trade at bay despite a never too huge gap between them.

Then, in the last quarter, Team Marianas finally had some breathing room as two standout players for Unity Trade were fouled out—Daniel Madrea and Su Diwa. Team Marianas enjoyed their biggest lead in the game of 10 points, but Unity Trade’s Rodel Pastrana kept the buckets coming. However, Santos ensured his team clinched the championships and ended it with a game-high 24 points.

Santos was named the Most Valuable Player in the awards ceremony after the finals.

Piper claims 2 silveres, Nagi nabs 1 bronze in HK swim comp

Thirteen swimmers from the Saipan Swim Club competed in the Last Last Splash Meet in Hong Kong held last May 23-25.

Notably, national swimmer Piper Raho bagged two silver medals—one in the 100m backstroke with a time of 1:07.14, improving on her national record in that swim. Then, she clinched silver in the 50m freestyle with a time of 27.47, while also breaking Nina Mosley’s 2006 record of 28:00.

Nagi Tenorio then clinched a podium finish with a bronze in the 200m breaststroke with a time of 3:17.92.

CPA are Public Service Recognition Week softball champs

After a weeklong battle of softball supremacy—filled with camaraderie and celebration—the Commonwealth Ports Authority emerged as champions of the CNMI Public Service Recognition Week Softball Tournament 2025 on May 24 at the Capital Hill Softball Field, despite sudden and sporadic downpours throughout.

They beat the Public Assistance Office in the final game of the double elimination championship round, 15-2. Third place went to the Department of Finance.

Takeru, Landen top Run the Oleai Track event

The Northern Marianas Athletics hosted a “Run the Oleai Track” event consisting of a one-mile and 5,000m race last May 22 at the Oleai Sports Complex, with close to 50 participants in support of the team for the upcoming Pacific Mini Games in Palau this summer.

First place in the male division of the one mile race, Landen Taflinger came in first with a time of 5:09.09. Second went to Pony Tang at 5:50.47, and third was Jayden Shin at 5:54.66. The lone runner in the women’s division was Ana Mendiola at 8:48.43.

In the 5,000m race, Jim Takeru crossed the finish line first at 18:44.48. Second was Jordan Ruiz at 19:19.3, while third was Neil Santos at 21:47.43.

In the women’s division, Akiko Miller was first at 21:42.45, second was Ann Bang with 25:20, and third was Orica George at 25:16.27.