Team Palau showed perseverance as they settled for the silver in the men’s division of the recently concluded 17 and Under Western Division of the Micronesia Youth Basketball Tournament held in CNMI.

Palau barged its way into the championship after scoring a huge upset over host CNMI team 1, 69-65 while Guam entered the finals after their 86-66 victory over Tinian.

In the championship game, powerhouse Guam tamed team Palau, 100-58. As expected the players from Guam used their height and speed advantage to outpace team Palau limiting them to four points in the opening quarter.

Team Palau managed to re-group in the final minutes of the first canto as they trimmed the lead at 12-23. But team Guam proved much stronger as they used their dreaded full-court press to add to Palau’s misery in the second quarter.

Palau managed to outscore Guam, 16-14, in the fourth but hardly made a difference as they sailed out for the win.

RB Dorado paced Palau with 18 points while teammate Cullen Carlson added 11. Marvic Ngchar, the hero of their win against CNMI 1, struggle all game long as he finished with 10 markers.

On the other hand Rashaun Blas and Michael Sakazaki topscored for team Guam with identical 16 baskets, respectively.

PBF vice president and National Basketball Development Officer Topps Sungino said that the players never gave up and never stopped believing. He added that they stuck to the game plan that coach Ziske Asanuma and Jose Meltel gave them.

“They made great adjustments on defense, offense and provided crucial opportunities for Palau. In the team meeting after the game, the coaches congratulated the boys of their efforts and their never say die attitude,” Sungino added.

He also extends a heartfelt thanks to the Palau Community of Saipan officers and members for their hospitality and support to the team.

Team Palau is coached by Ziske Asanuma with Jose Meltel as assistant coach. It is composed of RB Dorado, Marvic Ngchar, Ray Rdialul, Luke Wilter, Cullen Carlson, Shonty Ubedei, Medermel Yaoch, O’brein Ngemaes, Edward Baysa, Tavon Borja, Cody Rorer and Keene Isao.

The team is supported by President Johnson Toribiong, Etpison Cup, The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP), Palau Shipping, Surangel and Sons and Palau Royal Resort.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)