Guam men suffered a real shock in their semi-final game against a determined RMI team.  The game was close throughout and Guam coaches decided to rest their injured star centre, DeAndre Walker and it was only in the last quarter with the game on the line that he entered the game.  The score was very close throughout as RMI took the game right at Guam.  The crowd seemed shocked also as they never got into the spirit of the game at all.  At one minute to go Guam held a 5 point lead but RMI closed it to 3 and then with 14 seconds to go the difference was only 2.  RMI had last possession but some uncertainty by their players forced a hurried shot that they rebounded and tried to put back but time ran out and Guam managed to qualify for the gold medal game tomorrow. 

 

The first game of the day was also a thriller with Chuuk men trailing CNMI for all the first 3 quarters but always close enough to be in contention.  In the final quarter Chuuk got an eight point break with less than 2 minutes to go.  CNMI got within 3 at 1 minute only to see Chuuk make two free throws by Keitani Graham.  Not to be outdone CNMI’s top scorer, Jericho Cruz stepped up to score another 2 and the scene was set for an epic end.   Ball management was not good by either team in the dying minute as both turned the ball over but a Chuuk rebound with 2.8 seconds left sealed their win.  CNMI finish in 7^th place after winning 2 games in the rounds while Chuuk,

who previously had not won a game,  move on to play Pohnpei tomorrow for the 5/6 place (such is the cruelty of basketball).  

 

The bronze medal women’s game between Palau and RMI was a tight affair all the way through.  RMI held the upper hand through each of the first 3 quarters and it was not until the last 5 minutes of the game that Palau managed to take the lead.  RMI seemed tired in the final minutes and the Palau offence started to work with Carrissa Ttrolii stepping up and making some crucial baskets.  In the end Palau ran out winners by 58-46.  For RMI thei4 consistent scorer in Stacy Lejjena had 19 points and for Palau Carrissa Trolii had 19 also.  So Palau took the bronze medal.

 

The semi-final between Kosrae and Palau started poorly for Palau with Kosrae running away with an early lead of 16 points.  Palau was never able to get into the game from there and while the score difference was reduced to 10 points in the final quarter, Kosrae deservedly earned the right to meet Guam in the gold medal game tomorrow.  For Kosare David Taulung had a big game again and scored 21 points and he was assisted by big man Freddy Kibby with 19.  For Palau Arnold Undecimo hit 20 and Kent Moore had a big game with 14. 

 

And so to the finals with Pohnpei and Chuuk men meeting at 9.00am for 5/6 position, followed by the men’s bronze medal game between RMI and Palau at 11.00am.  Then the gold medal women’s game will feature Guam and CNMI and at 1.00pm while Guam and Kosrae men meet at 3.00pm for the gold medal.