Despite their long trip, team Palau easily disposed team Yap, 126-34 to post their first win at the start of the 2012 Micronesian Basketball Tournament (MBT) Open division in Guam.

Team Palau waxed hot in the first half as they established a 62-23 advantage. Team Palau muscled their way inside and outside the paint as they spurted a 40-2 outcome in the third canto to post their biggest lead at 102-25. From there, team Palau went all the way to win the game.

Douglas Schmidt paced team Palau with 18 points as teammates Gino Smau and Arnold Undecimo added 14 markers, respectively while Alex Leeboy topscored for team Yap finishing with 8 baskets on the losing end.

Team Palau is composed of Mike Williams, Perry Oiterong, Reid “Una” Rikrik, Gino Smau, Mark Pagayanan, Douglas Schmidt, John Stills, Lester Mendoza, Arnold Undecimo, Kent Moore, Traxx Mark and Leon Mengloi.

The team will be coached by Ziske Asanuma with Logan Ngiriou as assistant coach, Ivan Blesam as program coordinator/team manager and John Stills as referee official.

Team Palau is bracketed in Pool A with Yap, Guam and Guam Jr. squad while Pool B will have Chuuk, RMI and Pohnpei.

Team Palau is currently taking on host Guam as of this writing. They will see action today versus Chuuk at 5 p.m. and then against Phonpei at 9 p.m. Palau’s last match will be against RMI on September 26 at 9 p.m.

On the other hand, Koror State Youth Council joined the band wagon of supporters for team Palau. Koror State Youth Council donated $500 for team Palau which was handed over last Friday in a simple ceremony held at the Palau National gym.

Aside from Koror State Youth Council, other supporters for team Palau include President Johnson Toribiong, Sen. Surangel Whipps Jr., Min. Jackson Ngiraingas, Sandra Pierantozzi, Mr. and Mrs. Gregorio Ngirmang, Palau Shipping Company, Sarah’s Yum-Yum, Palau Trading Company, Koror State Government, Mason Whipps of Surangel and Sons, Palau Pacific Resort, Gov. Yositaka Adachi, Sen. Tommy Remengesau Jr., Mleusch-Dil Skin and Wellness Center, Arvin Raymond of Orion Maritime Service, HOD vice speaker Alexander Merep, Franny Reklai Construction Company, Shimbros International Inc., Sen. Regis Akitaya and IP&E Palau.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)