HILARY HOSIA
Mimo Jacklik and Malachi Aneo were named Most Valuable Players during the closing of the 42nd Bank of Marshall Islands 3×3 basketball tournament at the Educational and Cultural Center last week.
The two were chosen for their leading scores in their respective division: Mimo scored 53 points playing for the champions Team Jaluit in the women’s division while Malachi scored a whopping 62 points for Team Wotho. Team Wotho placed third in the men’s division.
The two-day event featured back-to-back intense competitions between six men’s teams and five women’s teams. At the end of the day, Jaluit’s Mimo, Rhea Nathan, Nia Wase and Aaliya Slinger fought harder and emerged victorious for the championship title against Namdrik’s Korkor Abraham, Jeita Peter, Maya Gordon and Naupaka Ackley. The third place winning spot went to Hiroko Obeketang, Maryleen Maitokana, Faith Lang and Momo Nimoto from Team Ebon.
Melu Wase and teammates from Lae Nathaniel Baby Lometo, Ikey Maddison and Dondon Bosin secured the championship title against Majuro’s RJ Abraham, Mokey Harry, Kuuj Lani and Yuanzhu Huang. Third place winners goes to best scorer Malachi, Ozzie Maddison, Amari Kabua and Ozzie Kabua from team Wotho.
Despite minimal support and presence from expected island leaderships, the teams pushed through with pride and sportsmanship and it showed with each team showcasing endurance and adaptability since games start at 5pm to final game at 9pm.
The Marshall Islands Basketball Federation organized the games in collaboration with officials from the Sports and Extracurricular Program and Majuro Atoll Local Government’s Sports Division.
The 3×3 tournament is a qualifier for the upcoming 3×3 basketball games in Palau, which hosts the Pacific Mini-Games next year. A similar tournament is expected to take place on Ebeye in Kwajalein Atoll within the year, according to MIBF.
The 3×3 is the first of its kind to be hosted by MIBF, which is why the games and statistics collection is taking place on Majuro and Ebeye first. MIBF has plans to include players from the US in future games.