Hot Shots, Bem Ermii, Arc Angels are Vega 3x3 champs - Video

Hot Shots, Bem Ermii, Arc Angels are Vega 3x3 champs

The basketball court was on fire as all teams brought the heat—but only three were crowned champions of the 2025 VEGA Environmental 3x3 Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Hot Shots claimed the U18 boys crown with a thrilling win over G-Rollers, 15-13. At the end of regulation which was 10 minutes, but teams were deadlocked, 13-13, so in 3x3 rules, the first team to score 2 more points wins the game.

After the G-Rollers’ didn’t capitalize on their possession, the Hot Shots secured the win with a 2-pointer by Heman Addy.

It was a close game throughout as G-Rollers’ Enzo Sasamoto, James Matsumoto, Dany Defang, and Austin Hoepner gave the Hot Shots a run for their money. Both teams traded buckets and were tied up more than once, with Hot Shots’ Matthew Peters and Kian Helgen trying to pull away, only for the G-Rollers to close the gap each time. In the end, Addy’s sharpshooting sealed the win and the title.

Helgen was then named the Most Valuable Player.

In the men’s division, Bem Ermii were crowned champions over Asian Persuasion after a thrilling matchup that was down to the wire with a 21-19 final.

It was another heated game as both teams were evenly matched, with Bem Ermii out to prove why they—Chioni Dela Cruz, Ervin Villarin, Airson Atan, and Junior Thongaram—were CNMI’s bet in the Palau Pacific Mini Games, while Asian Persuasion’s Coby Santos, Mii Tekopua, Tony Kim, and Keith Santos looked to assert their dominance in the local 3x3 scene.

In the end, foul trouble and trips to the free throw line decided the outcome, with Bem Ermii’s Villarin sinking the 21st point to claim the trophy.

Dela Cruz was then named the MVP.

In the women’s division, the Arc Angels claimed the trophy after defeating Prime 1, 13-8. The Arc Angels, led by veterans Madeleine Alegre and Mikki Kautz along with youngsters Destiny Pangelinan and Tihannalyn Sanchez, overpowered Prime 1’s younger lineup of Yasmeen Younis, Rosie Saralu, Jahsmin Ramon, and Maria Enriquez.

After the game, Sanchez was named the MVP.

Read the full story by Leigh Gases on our website.