By Robert Balajadia

GIRLS FAR EAST AWARDS

2014 Girls Far East Basketball MVP

MVP: Destiny Castro, Notre Dame Royals

Guam knew Royals Destiny “Queen-B” Castro was something special after leading the IIAAG in scoring in 2013. She helped the 6th-place ND Royals take down Kinnick, the defending champions, in the 2014 Far East Basketball Tournament and held her own scoring 18.5 points per game throughout, capturing the MVP title despite her teams lower seeding.

“I’ve seen a great many (athletes) come and go. Destiny has only barely begun to scratch her potential,” said Stars & Stripes newspaper reporter Dave Ornauer, who has covered Far East  sports for more than 32 years. “Already, she’s come within striking distance of the Pacific high school single-game scoring record of 45 points set by Gabby Falco in the 2010 Far East tournament. That said, people might view her as a pure scorer; given her team’s record, she obviously elevates the level of play of everybody around her.”

All-Tournament:  Alina Bonto (Academy),  April Talledo (Southern), Maricia Mariano (GW); Felicia Borja (Okkodo)

Honorable Mention:  Erin Wong, Gemilie Ilao, and Kali Benavente (Academy); Allison Bowman (JFK); Ashley Mateo (Guam High); Antoinette George, Dyonii Quitugua (GW); Marlissa Tenorio (Southern)

JFK Islanders Joclyn Pardilla was the last girl to win MVP in 2004 from the 2nd place team. The last team from Guam to win a Far East girls tournament was JFK in 1983. That was the Therese Sison-Linda Johnston team coached by Gayle Hendricks. They beat American School In Japan twice in the finals of a double-elimination tournament.

“Very hard to say who (Destiny) compares with at the moment, though names like Jocelyn Pardilla, Viola Payumo, Melissa Calkins and others come to mind,” Ornauer added.

BOYS ALL-TOURNAMENT SELECTEES

Guam High Panthers: Austy Hines 

L-R: Austy Hines (Guam High); Bruce Merrill (FD); Vernave Gustilo (Okkodo); Daillo Cruz, Jose Candaso (Southern); Kurtis Silva (JFK). (photo courtesy Tony Thompson)

FD Friars: Bruce Merrill

Okkodo Bulldogs: Vernave Gustilo

Southern Dolphins: Daillo Cruz, Jose Candaso

JFK Islanders: Kurtis Silva