By Robert Balajadia

POHNPEI – From a scouting standpoint the Guam men’s basketball team knew they were in for a battle against Kosrae and they were given nothing short of one. The men’s softball team let an early lead slip away in the final inning and the men’s spear fisherman grabbed gold in the team events while swimming racked up another 18 medals for Guam.

Guam Beat Kosrae In Physical Battle

From the opening tip the men from Kosrae went up in the chin of Guam’s best and had to be forcefully moved through out Guam’s 73-64 win.

Joe Blas led the team with 18 points as Guam built a 15-point 40-25 lead at halftime time but Kosrae , behind the crowd, put together a third quarter rally that Guam couldn’t officially hold off until late in the 4th quarter.

Kosrae came out of the break on a 7-0 run capped off by a three pointer by Kosrae’s David Taulung to get within eight points, 40-32. Guam’s Michael Sakazaki and William Stinnett managed to push Guam’s lead back up to 49-35.

The songs in the gym from Kosrae’s fans were getting louder and their men responded by playing better as Livingston Alokoa hit back-to-back three pointers, including a shot he made over Guam’s Morgan Aiken plus the foul to get back into a single-digit lead at 52-45.

The physical nature of the game got to Guam early and they responded by handing Kosrae a loss. (photo by Joey Blas)

A late turnover by Guam led to another basket with Kosrae trailing just 52-47 heading into the 4th quarter.

Guam got right on it in the 4th quarter after a pair of three pointers from Dom Sablan and Seve Susuico to quickly get up 58-47. Kosrae then went on a 5-0 spirt to get within 58-52, but Blas responded by using a nifty move around the rim to snap the run.

Taulung got free off a pick and nailed three pointer to get within five points, but veteran Jin Han found himself open on the wing and answered Taulung’s three pointer with one of his own. Though Alokoa returned the favor hitting a three from the corner to get within 66-60 in the final minutes after Guam’s Stinnett fouled out.

Blas, Susuico, and newcomer to the team Kyle Husslein managed to hit their free throws to put the game away.

Susuico had 14 points while Stinnett had 11.

Guam’s Joe Blas was the player of the game leading Guam with 18 points.

Men’s Softball Loses Lead In 9th

Guam was on it’s way to a victory over Palau holding on to a 9-7 lead heading into the 9th inning, but errors all around allowed Palau to score three runs to steal the game.

With one runner on base, a pop-fly came in the way between John Hattig Sr. and Benji Pangelinan as both men called for the ball but neither came up with the catch to allow the runner to take second base while the batter took first.

A pass ball on the very next pitch allowed the runners to advance to scoring positions.

Guam’s first baseman Benji Pangelinan collide with Pitcher John Hattig allowing the ball to drop for a base hit. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Palau managed to get a 2-RBI single a batter later that tied the game at nine.

Hattig managed to strike out one batter for the teams second out, but two passed balls allowed the runner to take third base which set up an unfortunate ending to Guam’s first softball game.

A pop-fly went out to the left field in the direction of Simon Jones but the direction of the ball was mistimed having the ball drop before Jones could make a play on it while the winning run came in from third base.

Guam had a 7-2 early in the game but couldn’t keep Palau at bay.

Men’s Spearfishing Team Hooks Gold

After finishing second in the individual spearfishing event, Guam united and came through winning gold for the team event weighing in at an impressive 99.0 lbs, beating Palau at 86.9 lbs and Pohnpei at 58.1 lbs. Meanwhile, Ray Flores took the individual silver with a haul of 48.9 lbs at the Mangrove Bay.

Guam struck Gold in Team Spearfishing with a combined weight of 99.0 lbs. Palau was second with 86.9 lbs and host Pohnpei took bronze with 58.1 lbs. L-R: Ray Flores, Stephen Meno, Mike Cassidy, James Borja and Guam Sen. Chris Duenas. (courtesy photo)

Guam’s Golden Pool

Eleven more gold were collected by the Guam swimmers as the dominance continued.

Jagger Stephens (15) and Olympian Benji Schulte brought home four golds apiece while fellow Olympian Chris Duenas was a three-gold winner. All three partnered with Alejandro Atoigue to capture relay wins (4×100 free and 4×200 medley).

Pilar Shimizu and Amanda Poppe guided the women’s golden collection. More swimming here.

More Gold from the pool. 4×100 freestyle relay (L-R): Benjamin Schulte, Jagger Stephens, Alejandro Cruz-Atoigue and Christopher Duenas. (photo by Lou Schulte)

4×100 freestyle relay Gold (L-R): Amanda Poppe, Taloani Atoigue, Mineri Gomez and Pilar Shimizu. (photo courtesy of Lou Schulte)

Don’t forget to see the earlier recap where Guam’s women’s basketball team got a big win over CNMI while the women’s volleyball team lost a heartbreaker to Yap.

Wednesday Events

8 am Tennis

8 am Men’s Volleyball vs. Pohnpei

9 am Men’s Baseball vs. Pohnpei

9 am Men’s Fastpitch vs. Kosrae

9 am Swimming Events

12 pm Men’s Basketball vs. Yap

2 pm Women’s Basketball vs. Palau

5 pm Women’s Fastpitch vs. Kosrae

8 om Women’s Volleyball vs. Kosrae

PHOTO GALLERY:

Big man Seve Susuico fights hard for his 14 points against Kosrae’s physical front court. (photo by Joey Blas)

Seve Susuico tips off the crowded College of Micronesia Gym. (photo by Joey Blas)

Keith Hattig gets a base hit to left center field against Team Palau. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Catcher Peter Guerrero hits a shot to third but was thrown out at first. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Team Guam starting pitcher John Hattig Sr. delivers a pitch against Palau. (Photo by Joey Blas)