
By Robert Balajadia
The 2015 Pacific Games are going to be huge for the Guam Men’s National Basketball team. For the first time ever, FIBA has declared the 2015 games a qualifier for FIBA Oceania as the top two teams will qualify for the 2019 Asia-Oceania competition.
With the biggest stakes on the line, Guam will need to pull out their big guns in order to get a shot to compete against the likes of New Zealand and Australia.
As Guam tries to narrow down their roster, one consistent star in former IIAAG Boys Basketball MVP Michael Sakazaki will suit up for the island as he makes his way back from playing college basketball for the Chaminade Silverswords. Though, Sakazaki won’t be the only Silversword competing for gold in the PG’s.
6’11 Frankie Eteuati is the starting center for Chaminade and he will lace up for American Samoa come June even though Eteuati has never actually been to American Samoa.
Along with these games being a qualifier, FIBA has asked to implement their own set of residency rules which differ from the standard National Olympic Committee rules. American Samoa will be exercising FIBA’s residential rules as Eteuati’s father and grandparents were born in American Samoa, granting Eteuati eligibility.
The current NOC rules state that an eligible player has to be living in the state/island he or she is playing for for no less than five years. Sakazaki would still be eligible to play for Guam still under the NOC rules due to his status as a collegiate student moving from Guam. The Eteuati scenario is different in that he was born and raised in California and just made the transfer to Chaminade his senior year.
This rule is exercised on a national level as well as we see current stars of the National Basketball Association still suit up for their country in the Olympics despite living and playing in the USA. The Gasol brothers Pau and Marc always play for Spain as does Tony Parker for France. Star Kyrie Irving has the option to play for Australia, where he was born, but has elected to play for the USA instead.
With the FIBA rules in effect, Sakazaki and Etuati will have to briefly put aside their Chaminade bond as Guam and American Samoa get set for an important run at the most important PG’s to date.
There has been no official word whether GNOC will be adopting the FIBA rule for residency or sticking to the standard five-year living requirements.


GPS Sports Calendar
July 2025
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for June
1st
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
2nd
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
3rd
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
4th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
5th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
6th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
7th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
8th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
9th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
10th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Events for July
18th
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- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
Events for July
19th
Events for July
20th
Events for July
21st
Events for July
22nd
Events for July
23rd
Events for July
24th
Events for July
25th
- 27
- 28
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- 31
- 1
- 2
Events for July
26th
Events for July
27th
Events for July
28th
Events for July
29th
Events for July
30th

Wrestling
SUSAKI SHARES OLYMPIC GOLD KNOWLEDGE

Pacific Mini Games
PACIFIC MINI GAMES COMES TO A CLOSE

Pacific Mini Games
KENT WINS 2ND GOLD OF MINI GAMES

Weightlifting
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST TO SHARE WRESTLING KNOWLEDGE

Pacific Mini Games
SOFTBALL COMES UP BIG OVER PALAU 11-4

Pacific Mini Games
BADEN WINS GOLD #3 FOR GUAM IN 5K

Pacific Mini Games
BASEBALL ADVANCES TO GOLD MEDAL GAME

Volleyball
GUAHAN BOYS WIN NATIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
COMING SOON …
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament Playoffs