
By Robert Balajadia
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Guam’s young tennis stars are getting ready to make their Micro Games debut in Pohnpei with seven of the eight players on the national team playing in the games for their first time.
Led by head coach Torgun Smith and assistant coach Viddy Taufao, the team is shaking off any nerves and jitters and are just focusing on playing their best. Coach Taufao is confident with the teams improvements since joining the team on May 5th.
“The consistency level had be rather low since I got here so [Torgun] and I have been focusing in on that since I got here. The level of improvement has been remarkable. In terms of expectations, we’ve got pretty high hopes for the whole team in both the team and individual events,” stated coach Taufo.

Charles Oliver and Joshua Cepeda go against Brian Tuncap Jr. and Anthony John in doubles practice. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
2014 Tennis Micro Games Roster
Men’s
Joshua Cepeda
Brian Tuncap Jr.
Anthony John
Charles Oliver
Women’s
Katie Lai
Camdyn Nadler
Charlayne Espinosa
Nadine Del Carmen
Conditioning for the Micro Games has been as intense as their practices on court in the blistering sun from twice a day, four days a week, which usually runs for two hours with very little breaks. Then the team hits match practice all weekend. Outside of that, the team also gets into extra conditioning activities to get the extra boost of cardio since they will be playing in the heat in Pohnpei.
“Our coach doesn’t want us to lose physically so that’s why we train very hard. We do tennis two times a day and outside of that we do Cross Fit and Insanity every day,” stated Tuncap Jr.
“We schedule our practices around the hottest time of the day to get ready for Pohnpei,” said Taufao.
Each member of the team will be competing in the singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events and each member is expected to do well.
Tuncap Jr. is one of the teams strongest competitors and he is still in high school attending Father Duenas. On the female side, Katie Lai is also considered one of the teams strongest players and the two stars share a similar trait, which is believing they will perform better in the singles portion.
“I feel my stamina has improved so much and the training coaches have been giving us are really good so I’m going to feel most comfortable playing singles,” said Tuncap Jr.
“I think I’m a little more comfortable playing in the singles, but I am excited for the doubles and mixed doubles because you don’t normally get to play in mixed doubles,” said Lai.
Charles Oliver is the only one on the team who has Micro Games experience having competed on the 2006 team and Oliver will be looking to do damage in the doubles portion of the matches after having good practice outings .
Nadine Del Carmen missed her last year of Tennis at St. John’s due to a knee injury, but she has been playing well since starting up again in January having competed in two tournaments.
Another strong member of the men’s team is one of the youngest members of the team in Joshua Cepeda, who will be looked upon to shine in the singles tourney as well.
Though it’s their first time, the team is feeling way more excited than nervous and coach Torgun and Taufao are to thank.
“We addressed early on that we will be working on their mental game and how to get around being nervous and get the butterflies out of their system. We worked a lot on them developing good habits,” said Taufao.
“There’s a little bit of nerves, but we’ve all be training for this. If we just stay in control and stay focused we will play our best. One thing our coaches have been stressing is focus and just play each point and get our mind into the game,” said Lai.
Tennis will be looking to make a clean sweep in all the events and if one thing’s for sure, they are physically and emotionally ready.


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GPS Sports Calendar
June 2022
- SU
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- FR
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Events for May
31st
Events for June
2nd
Events for June
4th
35th Most Beautiful Run 5-Miler
Youth Football League
Events for June
5th
Youth Football League
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
5th
Events for June
9th
FIBA MICRONESIAN CUP 2022
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
10th
FIBA MICRONESIAN CUP 2022
GLORIFIED SPARRING 9
Events for June
11th
FUNCTIONAL FITNESS LEAGUE: Round 1
APL RACE FIESTA
Youth Football League
FIBA MICRONESIAN CUP 2022 FINALS
Events for June
12th
APL RACE FIESTA
Youth Football League
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
GSPN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR GAME
Events for June
14th
Events for June
17th
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
18th
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Youth Football League
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19th
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Youth Football League
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
20th
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
21st
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
23rd
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
24th
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
25th
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
GUAM NINJA COMPETITION
YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
26th
YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
27th
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
28th
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
30th
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE

Bowling
JUNE KING & PRINCE OF THE LANES

Basketball
FD ALMUNI HOOPS TOURNEY IN FULL SWING

Football
ANGELS LAY CLAIM AS BEST IN MATUA

Baseball
CNMI WINS ANOTHER BASEBALL CLASSIC

Football
ANGELS LAY CLAIM AS BEST IN MATUA

Baseball
BASEBALL: GUAM TAKES DOWN PALAU
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Arren Yatar
UOG Tritons Pitcher Arren Yatar shares some of his fun facts and tells us about his favorite YouTube channel!
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Arren Yatar
UOG Tritons Pitcher Arren Yatar shares some of his fun facts and tells us about his favorite YouTube channel!
COMING SOON …
- Asia Pacific Little League
- National Triathlon Championships
- GML Makeup Games
- FD Alumni Basketball Tournament (ongoing)