LIHUE — Dale Cua, business manager for the Lihue Pinto all-stars, said it’s been a long time since he’s been to Kona. Cua will be accompanying the Lihue Baseball League Pinto all-stars to Kona for the Pinto state tournament Thursday.
LIHUE — Dale Cua, business manager for the Lihue Pinto all-stars, said it’s been a long time since he’s been to Kona.
Cua will be accompanying the Lihue Baseball League Pinto all-stars to Kona for the Pinto state tournament Thursday.
“We play our first game Friday,” Cua said while watching the Pinto group go through its final practice Wednesday at Lihue County Park. “We don’t know who we’ll be playing because there are still playoffs taking place.”
Cua said the state tournament will have a team from Kauai, the Lihue Pinto all stars, a team from Maui, three teams from the Big Island, two from Hilo and one from Kona, and four teams from Oahu, including Mililani, Makakilo, Waianae and Windward.
The state tournament will start today and run through the championship game, Tuesday at the old Kona Airport for players 7 and 8 years old.
“It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Kona,” Cua said. “I checked the Google Maps and there has been a lot of changes since I was there last.”
Corey Nakamura, an assistant coach for the all-stars, said Lihue Pinto all-stars were selected based on inter-league play.
“At least, the boys were in the Mililani goodwill tournament a few weeks ago,” said Shantelle Manibog, a team parent who will be traveling with the team. “Now, they get to play in the state tournament.”
Players on the Lihue Pinto all-star team include Hunter Ahloo, Jordan Andres, Sage Cua, Kaikoa Carvalho-Kiilau, Xailer Duarte, Tyrus Duran, Joshua Guarin, Qyrin Ibaan, Cody Manibog, Taylin Oana, Daniel Pa, Zion Ramirez-Oana and Savannah Simmons.
Chris Nii is the head coach with Nakamura and Reef Oana as assistants and Cua serving as Business Manager.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
