In yesterday’s first game at 11.00am, Peleli took on Ngchesar.  Both teams know each other well as they have been scrimmaging each other in preparation for the Games.  Peleliu gained their lead through the first half with which they managed to hang on for the win.  Ngchesar held the last Games gold medallists to even score in the second half.  The game was played with more control than usually exhibited by Peleliu and this resulted in a far lower foul count.  Scoring for Ngchesar was evenly spread Marlon August, Mekeruul Ueki and Michael Williams contributing most and for Peleliu OJ Johnson scored 12 and Arnold Undemico 11.

 

The 3.00pm game saw the clash between Melekeok and Sonsorol men.  In a tight 1st quarter Melekeo managed to end 1 point ahead.  A solid performance in the 2nd quarter by Melekeok’s Edson Chiokai and Wallace Asunama gave their team a handy 9 point advantage at the half.  The 3rd and 4th quarters were very close but Melekeook ran out winners 72-58.  For Melekeok Roydan Renguul and Una Rikrik hd 13 points while for Sonsorl Jay Andrew and Masao Umedib also had 13 each.

 

The women were back on at 5.00pm with Koror and Sonsoral facing up on court.  In the first 2 quarters it was Sonsorol holding a handy lead with a 25 -16 score line at half time.  In the 3rd quarter Koror’s taller players started to make a difference and led this quarter by 18-7.  This set the game up for a very competitive situation for the final term.  Koror bounced out to a handy lead but Sonsorol would not give in and got back within 6 points with just 3 minutes to go.  Despite many attempts to score during this final period, the much shorter Sonsorol players could not find the bottom of the net and Koror held on the win 49-43.  Koror had several players contributing on the score sheet lead by Oreng Ngemaes with 9 while for Sonsorol, Joy Kintoki was the game high scorer with 15 points.

 

Most people believed that the last game of the day between Aimeliik and Ngaremlengui would be a spectacle but someone forgot to tell that to Ngaremlengui, who shot away in the 1st Quarter to lead by 26-7.  From here the result was never in doubt.  It appeared that ther Aimeliik players were tired after their great encounter with Ngarchelong yesterday.  Also the dominance of so many taller players for Ngaremlengui was taking its toll.  With just Jaxon Chan and Sharlone Oiwil to counter this height, the shorter Aimeliik players found it difficult to compete.  With a final score of 88-48, it was a bit of a blowout to Ngaremlengui.

 

And so to today where results will play a big part in deciding finals spots.

 

9.00am                 Men                      Ngarchelong      vs            Anguar

 

1.00pm                 Men                      Koror                     vs            Ngchesar

 

3.00pm                 Women                               Sonsorol              vs            Ngchesar

 

5.00pm                 Men                      Peleliu                 vs            Sonsorol

 

7.00pm                 Women                               Koror                     vs            Peleliu