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By Niko Bulaon
The fast-paced St. Paul Warriors gave their opponents, the Guam High Panthers, their second loss of the season, defeating them in a close battle, 74-67 Saturday night and tying both their records at 5-2.
The Warriors took their time, slowing the pace of their offense, but the tight man-to-man defense of the Panthers forced their opponents to turnover the ball. A scramble for the ball left Warriors’ big man John San Andres with five fouls, putting him on the bench with five minutes left to go. But it didn’t seem to faze St. Paul; back-to-back uncontested layups from Brian Tsuji and free throws from Redd Santos gave the Warriors a 17-point lead, 67-50.
Behind Panthers’ top-scorer of the night, Austy Hines, Guam High jumped into a 5-0 run before being caught with five fouls with three minutes on the clock. Ten seconds later, Tsuji was fouled out, giving the Panthers a greater opportunity. Rodney Taitague and Michael Stewart put in easy layups to bring the Panthers closer to their opponents, but Warriors Jason Aquino quickly added points over the hands of the tall Panthers, putting the score at 74-62 with a minute left.
Aquino soon found himself on the bench after his fifth foul. A two pointer by Eddie Garza and a three from Taitague cut the Warriors lead to seven, but there was not enough time as the buzzer sounded to give St. Paul the win.
“We really trust our bench; they really pulled through,” said Aquino after three starters were put on the bench with five fouls. “Our coaches trusted them and they secured the win for us.”
St. Paul started the first quarter with determination; behind San Andres and Tsuji, the Warriors went off for a 14-0 run. Stewart put it a three to kill his team’s scoring drought, but Aquino answered with a three-point play, ending the quarter at 20-9.

Warriors’ John San Andres off the backboard for two points with this reverse layup. (photo by Jesse Castro)
The Panthers came into the second quarter with a quick bucket from Hines, but a huge behind the back block from Tsuji slowed the Panthers’ offense to build a Warriors’ lead. San Andres and Aquino went on a 10-3 run, putting St. Paul ahead of their opponents by 19, 35-16. Multiple fouls by the Warriors put Hines on the foul line to try and cut into his opponents’ lead, but Aquino ended the second with a two-pointer, 41-23.
The Warriors accelerated in their offense; another 9-2 run from St. Paul had Guam High in a scoring slump. But Hines and Garza added points for their team to end their scoring drought. Last minute points from Aquino and Tsuji built their growing lead to 20 points, going into the third quarter at 57-37.
“It was a good team effort,” stated Aquino about his team’s win. “The starters and the bench did their job. There was good ball movement and great defense.”
Mid-way through the season, the Warriors now stand at 5-2. Aquino stated, “I feel my team is doing well. We’re getting better each day: better chemistry and better teamwork. But all the glory goes to God because he brings us together; this team, as a brotherhood and as a family.”
Aquino led his team with 25 points and four rebounds. San Andres contributed with 18 points, a game-high 15 rebounds, three blocks, and three steals. Hines led the Panthers with 18 points and six rebounds.
Other Scores
Sanchez 64, GW 56 – (SSHS) Dean Nilo 20 points, (GW) Jason Frias 20 points.
JFK 80, Southern 58 – (JFK) Billy Belger 27 points (7 three pointers), (JFK) 25 points, 10 rebounds.
ND 61, Harvest 55
FD 63, St. John’s 35


GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Basketball
FAMILIAR FOES TO MEET FOR HOOPS CROWN

Basketball
ISLANDERS AVENGE EARLY SEASON LOSS
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs
- True Grit Rugby Tournament
- IIAAG Boys Soccer Playoffs