The Palau 17 and Under squad together with the Palau Basketball Federation extends its heartfelt appreciation to all those who supported the team during their stint in the recently concluded 17 and Under Western Division of the Micronesia Youth Basketball Tournament held in CNMI.

Team Palau finished silver in the tournament after they fell behind powerhouse Guam, 100-58 in the championship. But team Palau earned the respect of other squads after they scored an upset against host CNMI team 1, 69-65 that got them to the finals.

Aside from that team Palau player Marvic Ngchar was selected as one of the five Tournament All Stars, a recognition given after he steered his squad to the finals.

Among those who supported the team are President Johnson Toribiong, Senator Regis Akitaya, Senator Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., Senator Joel Toribiong, Senator Surangel Whipps Jr., PNOC/ONOC Solidarity Grant, IP&E Shell Palau Inc., Surangel and Sons Company, Palau Shipping Company, Western Caroline Trading Company (WCTC), Palau Pacific Resort, PDC Group – RT Management and Realty Inc., Shimbros International Inc., Palau Sports Fishing Association, Orion Maritime – Coach Arvin Raymond, Carp Corporation, Ueki Enterprise, Palau Royal Resort, Rock Island Tour Company, Palau Sea Ventures Inc., The Filipino Community of Palau (TFCP), Vangie Baysa and Diosa Dorado, Palau Community of Saipan (PCS), Rufino Aquon –President PCS, Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien Ngemaes, Taylor Watanabe, Peleliu Athletic Club of Saipan, Governor Laurentino Ulechong and Elbuchl Sadang.

During their stay in Saipan, the team was housed at Aquarius Beach Towers Hotel in Chalan Kanoa with the local organizing committee (LOC) organized transport from the airport to the accommodations.

The Palau Community of Saipan (PCS) led by their President, Rufino Aquon, provided extra transport, beddings and cooking utensils. The team rented a car to transport players to and from the games and for shopping and emergencies purposes.

The team was also supported by the different groups which are now based in Saipan. O’Brian and Lori Ngemaes sponsored a team dinner in Saipan; the Peleliu Athletics Club of Saipan led by its President Poland Masaharu and members donated team lunch and three cases of Powerade energy drink for the team; Taylor Watanabe assisted in providing transportation and drinks and snacks for the team as they toured Saipan to Suicide Cliff, Banzai Cliff and Saipan Zoo and President Toribiong, Governor Laurentino Ulechong and Elbuchel Sadang donated team lunch in Guam.

Team Palau was 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.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)