A tip of the hat to Osan Air Base's men's basketball and softball teams. They traveled to the tropical environs of Guam and Okinawa and came away victorious in their respective endeavours and tournaments.

Anthony Showers earned MVP honors as the Defenders routed the Guam Senior National Team 90-75 Saturday in the finals of the 2008 Summer Slam Interservice Basketball Tournament at Andersen Air Force Base. Another signature event put on by Pacific Air Forces basketball legend Gerrard Barnes.

Showing true grit in the blazing heat of Okinawa, Doug Guerrette captured the MVP award and his Osan men's softball team came from the loser's bracket to double-dip defending champion American Legion of Okinawa 15-14, 15-11 in Sunday's two-game Firecracker Shootout Interservice Softball Tournament final.

Area I's collection of women's sluggers helped make the Firecracker a Korea sweep dream. Lauren Shaw and MVP Jihrleah Showman each homered twice and combined to drive in 10 runs as Area I rallied from a 7-0 deficit past Okinawa's Yard Busters 27-16.

Now, for a plunge in the cool of the pool ...