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By Michael J.A. Nauta Jr.
The first time the George Washington Geckos and Father Duenas Friars took on one another it was the Friars who walked away victors. Saturday afternoon, the two teams made their way to the John F. Kennedy gym for yet another battle in IIAAG High School Wrestling action. The highly anticipated rematch had both teams also fighting for sole possession of first place. When all was said and done, it was the Geckos who convincingly defeated their opponents 45-21.
“We came into today’s meet knowing that we just had to stick to our game plan and continue working hard like always,” said GW’s A.J. Collins. “Today’s battle pitted two of the league’s best teams so we knew that we had to come battle ready.”
The Geckos wasted no time setting the tempo early on as they recorded three pinfalls in four matches. Getting things going was GW’s Christian Sablan as he took on the Friars’ Eric Dela Rosa in the 195-pound weight class. Despite a pretty even first round, Sablan didn’t take any chances and managed to pin his opponent in the ensuing round.
The battle of the big boys followed with Kyle San Nicolas going to war against FD’s Eathan Cruz. Cruz looked poised to give his team their first points of the meet as he clung to a 2-0 lead after one round. However, San Nicolas came storming out in the second round and put Cruz on his back long enough to record the pin.
Not willing to go down another match, the Friars turned to Derrick Artero in the third match. Artero went head-to-head against the Geckos Phillip Siguenza in the 205 weight class. Both wrestlers put on a great showing and didn’t disappoint. However, it was Artero who pinned Siguenza to earn six points for his team and cutting the GW lead (12-6)in half.
From the heavyweights to the lightweights. The Geckos continued momentum as Justin Pangelinan needed only one round to claim victory. Going up against the Friars Adriano Cruz, Pangelinan gave GW back their double-digit lead after pinning his challenger a minute into the opening round.
With GW up 18-6 after the first four matches, the Friars would dig deep and prevent their opponents from running away. A victory via pinfalls by Kristian Cruz, followed by a win on points by Cyril Maravilla pulled the Friars to within (18-15) three points of tying the match.
Recognizing the capabilities of their opponents, the Geckos were able to regroup and rebuild a respectable lead. Back to back pinfall wins by Alan “A.J.” Collins and Kevin Samonte allowed GW to take back their double-digit lead.
“We knew that we needed to get our points back,” said Collins. “Our teammates did their job early on so that just meant we needed to reciprocate.”
With the Geckos up 33-21 late in the meet and only three matches left, Father Duenas needed two victories via pin and one by points to secure the victory. However, not willing to take any chances and give their opponents any breathing room, the Geckos swept the final three matches with a pinfall and two on points. The pinfall victory was credited to Donovan Fernandez who defeated Christian McCreadie.
“Being the last match of the competition against a very respected opponent was a little nerve-wracking but I just stayed positive and confident,” said Fernandez. “Whenever you go up against a team like FD, you know it’s going to be a battle so we just have to do our best.”
Other match results:
138-pound: FD’s Jaione Villegas defeats GW’s Jose Aguon via points (8-3).
145 pounds: GW’s Eddie Wagthuth defeats Kai Blas via points.
152 pounds: Edward Calvo defeats GW’s J-One Weires 3-0.
160 pounds: GW’s Elijah Quichocho defeats FD’s Charles Churchill via points.
170 pounds: Devin Balagbano defeats FD’s Austin Petros via points.


GPS Sports Calendar
March 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
28th
Events for March
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
Events for March
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
4th
35th RAINBOWS FOR ALL CHILDREN 3.5 MILER
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
Events for March
5th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 3
Events for March
5th
Events for March
6th
Events for March
7th
Events for March
9th
Events for March
11th
GSPN PRESEASON BOYS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT DAY 1
Bank of Guam Block Party 5K
Events for March
12th
Events for March
13th
Events for March
14th
Events for March
15th
Events for March
17th
World Athletics Indoor Championships
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
18th
PAY-LESS KICK THE FAT 5K/10K
World Athletics Indoor Championships
Events for March
19th
Events for March
21st
Events for March
24th
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Events for March
25th
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
26th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 4
Events for March
28th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
28th
Events for March
30th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
31st
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL KICKS OFF BUSY 4TH QUARTER SPORTS

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL KICKS OFF BUSY 4TH QUARTER SPORTS
COMING SOON …
- 4th Quarter Sports
QUICK HITS
Guam MTB National Championship: Edward Oingerang and Jennifer Camacho are your 2023 MTB national champions. Oingerang finished the course in 1:13:24 while Camacho won her second straight title in 54:08.
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Kobe Miyashita, with St. John’s coach Arvin Flores, was named the 2023 IIAAG Middle School Boys Volleyball MVP!