
By Patrick Lujan
A pair of Guam sons are making the most of their baseball skills in Virginia.
Shane Arceo (18): Bill Gates Millennium Scholar and college baseball commitment
Matt Arceo (15): Finalist for the U16 USA Baseball Team
Both accomplishments deserve a stand-alone story and are very impressive, but in this case, the brothers are happy to share the spotlight.
Baseballs didn’t fall far from the tree. Their father Jerry Arceo was a star in the Guam Major League in the early 1990’s. As a rookie in 1991, he was the leadoff hitter for the AK Islanders before moving over with the Pepsi Giants where he was in the middle of a potent lineup that included Keith Hattig, Benjie Pangelinan and Elbert Certeza. He was also on the gold medal baseball team in the 1994 Micronesian Games on Guam under manager Willie Brennan.
Jerry and his wife Beverly would move their family to Virginia in 1995 for better financial and educational opportunities.
4.07 GPA
For elder son Shane, he is a recipient of the prestigious Gates Scholarship this year as only 1000 of the 57,000+ applicants received the award. It is an all-expense-paid trip to college courtesy of the richest man in the world!
(See feature story from Virginia’s Daily Press)
Shane was the team captain and shortstop for Denbar High in Virginia. He’s committed to play for Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia.
“I believe he’s the first Chamorro to receive this scholarship,” Jerry Arceo said.
U16 USA Finalist
And then there is Matt, who has been doing wonders on the baseball diamond.
Not only has he been named First Team All-Conference as a starting center fielder for his high school baseball team, he’s also made the Virginia Commonwealth All-Star list as a freshman and sophomore.
Now the opportunity to make the U16 USA Team.
He’s already passed the first three rounds of tryouts and is currently on the Capital Region Team consisting of the best from the states of Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Washington D.C.
“The talent level was amazing, especially when we got into round two (of tryouts),” their father said. “15 and 16 year olds were throwing in the upper 80’s and outfielders were running 60-yard dashes between 6.4 and 6.9 seconds.”
The final stage happens this Aug. 20-23 in Cary, N.C. where the best from 16 regions around the nation will gather with hopes of making the final roster.
“We are very pleased, excited and blessed that my son Matt, a Chamorro, has made it this far,” Jerry added. “Of course, his ultimate goal is to make the team. Whatever the outcome, my wife and I are very proud of him and pray that he does his very best. He/we will always represent our island and the people of Guam. BIBA CHAMORRO!”

Shane Arceo was the starting shortstop and team captain before graduating from Denbigh High School in Virginia. (courtesy photo)
Guam Talent
There’s no doubt Guam athletes always possessed the talent and the heart. Jerry Arceo reiterates the importance of exposure.
“The boys back home have the same talent, they just lack publicity. They have a lot of heart and the work ethic is there. They just need the exposure.”
Note: Their grandparents are Julian and Irene Arceo and the late Pedro and Tomosa Fejaran.


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
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
15th
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL 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