By Robert Balajadia

POHNPEI – Guam wasted no time taking the first team game in the team events as the men’s volleyball team soared above Nauru in just three sets 25-15, 25-16, 25-14 behind a collective effort from the entire team, bleach blonde hair, Guam socks and all.

Guam had built large leads in all three sets and allowed Nauru to get close in each set midway through, but the team locked in and delivered set-ending runs to put Nauru away every time.

Guam had jumped out to a 5-0 lead early in the first set forcing Nauru to call a quick timeout after team captain PJ Quintanilla got a clean kill off a perfect set from Robert Borden. Pumped on adrenaline, Guam celebrated each of their first points with high intensity to shake off any first game jitters that might have still been trying to hang around.

Members of the other teams were also in support of the men’s volleyball team as the women’s volleyball, women’s basketball, and men’s softball were all in attendance.

Team Guam’s Anthony Crisostomo goes up for the kill against Nauru. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Nauru was able to take advantage of mid-game miscues and trim the lead to 14-11 until Kevin Perez held down the outside by getting a kill to start a short run. Guam was looking for a set ending play and rising, literally, to the occasion was Anthony Crisostomo who grabbed a massive kill down the middle of the lane to go up 20-15.

Perez was behind the serves as Guam closed out the first set on a 5-0 run.

Guam had jumped out to a 12-6 lead behind great kills from Quintanilla and TJ Balajadia, but Nauru began to creep back cutting the lead 13-9. Crisostomo then came in again for a big kill up the middle which catapulted Guam up 20-13 as they were able to close out the set with kills from Balajadia and errors by Nauru.

Guahan Solider player of the game TJ Balajadia. (photo by Joey Blas)

Guam exercised their subs in the third set and the bench delivered a worthy performance to help close out Nauru. Balajadia managed to grab four kills in the final set giving Guam the edge over Nauru.

Other Team Guam Events

Olympians Chris Duenas, Benji Schulte, and Pilar Shimizu took over the 100m preliminary races winning in their respective heats.

The women’s softball team were trailing 3-2 after two innings against the home team Pohnpei.

The men’s basketball team romped the Republic of the Marshall Islands 97-61.

PHOTO GALLERY:

PJ Quintanilla goes up for the kill against Nauru. (Photo by Joey Blas)

(Photo by Joey Blas)

Team Guam swimmer Champ Camacho competes in the 200 meter breaststroke. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Team Guam swimmer Pilar Shimizu competes in the 100 meter. (Photo by Joey Blas)

(photo by Joey Blas)

(photo by Joey Blas)

(photo by Joey Blas)

(photo by Joey Blas)