The game between Palau women and Belau for the Bronze Medal was, as expected, a walkover for Palau against their very inexperienced sisters. For Palau Dliaur Kumaichi had a big game scoring 24 points Elchung Hideyos scxored 16 and Ayla Azuma got 10.

Guahan came up against CNMI in the men’s Bronze Medal game and after a couple of nervous minutes started to take control of the game, creating a handy 11 point lead by quarter time.   CNMI came back in the second quarter to match the score but still trailed at half time by 12. Guahan were too strong from there and went away to win 63-49. For Guahan Dialo Cruz had a game high 21 points and Geo Quichocho had 16. CNMI’s main scorer was their big man Christian Mizer with 16.  

The battle for the women’s Gold Medal between Guam and CNMI was tight for the first few minutes but then Guam got their running game going and built a 12 point lead by quarter time. From there it was all Guam through their pressure defence and quick hands that forced many turnovers and led to more fast break points. Guam went on to score a resounding victory by 93-41. The future of Guam women’s basketball certainly looks good with this group of young players.

Guam knew they were in for a tough game by quarter time in the Gold Medal Game against Palau when they led by only 2 points. The pace was frenetic and the defence tough at both ends with no-one prepared to give an inch. The second quarter was just as tight with Guam going to the long break with a lead of only 3 points. In the third quarter the Guam bustling defence was managing to create turnovers and coupled with their fast break game they had built a 71-52 scoreline by the end of the quarter. The large crowd started to gain voice and urge on the Palau team and they responded. Closing the score to 14 with 3 minutes got the crowd going more. Some silly turnovers in the dying minutes allowed Guam to consolidate and they held off a fast finishing Plau team to win 89-78. It was a fitting game to end the tournament which hd seen lots of great basketball and future stars in action.

Following the men’s final Mr Frank Kyota (President PBF) and Mr Darrel Dela Paz (President GBC) presented medals to:

                                         WOMEN                              MEN

GOLD                                 Guam                                 Guam

SILVER                               CNMI                                  Palau

BRONZE                              Palau                                 Guahan

 

The All Star Five for men and women were selected through votes by each coach for each game during the tournament. Coaches voted for the players on the opposing team.

 

ALL STAR FIVE                         WOMEN                                        MEN

                                             Rachel Abrams (CNMI)                  Marvic Ngchar (Palau)

                                             Sarabeth Ksano (Palau)                Dialo Cruz (Guahan)

                                             Kali Benavente (Guam)                 Jeddou Antonio (Guam)

                                             Diliaur Kumaichi (Palau)                Christian Mizer (CNMI)

                                             Trinity Misech (Belau)                    Medermel Yaoch (Belau)

During the short closing ceremony Mr Kyota and the Tournament Director, Mr Kazuki “Topps” Sungino thanked all teams for their participation and commented on the high standard of play and excellent spotsmanship throughout the tournament.