
By Robert Balajadia
The U17 FIBA Oceania Basketball Championships reached it’s end Saturday with medals on the line for the top four teams in both the men’s and women’s division. For the local team Guam, it was a double-header against Samoa for the bronze medal.
Guam split the bronze medal game with the men’s team gaining a 105-70 victory while the ladies fell 88-58.
Mission accomplished for men’s team
It was their goal from their first practice over two months ago, to win a medal. After losing badly to Australia in the semifinals, Guam’s mission to medal stood 40 minutes between the host team and Samoa.
The brand of fast-paced basketball and trap style defense allowed Guam to gain a comfortable 59-39 halftime lead with Kyle Gaitan and Jhamar White carrying the scoring load.
Gaitan would end his day with 25 points while White would add 17 to round out Guam’s top scorers.
Closing quarters was key for Guam against Samoa with two big-time buckets coming from down town to end the 1st and 2nd periods. Guam’s Jason Diaz would convert on an and-one three pointer to put Guam up 32-20 in the 1st quarter and swingman Tony Hsieh hit a deep trey for the 20-point halftime lead.
The lead would balloon to 80-51 with Gaitan cashing in his best quarter, scoring 11 of Guam’s 21 points. Guam’s Jason Diaz and Tomas Calvo added strength in the offensive flow with both ballers scoring 13 points.
Samoa’s Tumau Lelei Tautau had a strong game with 21 points and 9 rebounds.
Samoa’s Ropati dominates Guam
Frances Ropati put on display her best game of the FIBA tournament, netting 32 points to go along with 17 rebounds and 9 steals to power Samoa to a bronze medal finish over the host team Guam.
Guam’s Mia San Nicolas led Guam with 18 points with Elysia Perez adding 11 and guard Hailey Senne adding 10.
Samoa was fuelled by a 14-2 run in the 2nd period after to post a 50-29 advantage before stretching an 18-point halftime lead to a 71-44 lead through three quarters.
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GPS Sports Calendar
October 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for September
30th
Events for October
2nd
ISA H.S CROSS COUNTRY
IIAAG M.S. GIRLS BASKETBALL
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3rd
IIAAG GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG M.S. GIRLS BASKETBALL
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3rd
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5th
ISA H.S CROSS COUNTRY
ISA M.S. CROSS COUNTRY
IIAAG M.S. GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA H.S. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
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6th
IIAAG H.S. CROSS COUNTRY
IIAAG GIRLS VOLLEYBALL QUARTERFINALS
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7th
ISA H.S. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
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7th
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9th
ISA H.S CROSS COUNTRY ALL-ISLAND
IIAAG M.S. GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA M.S. BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
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12th
ISA M.S. CROSS COUNTRY ALL-ISLAND MEET
ISA H.S. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG M.S. GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
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13th
IIAAG H.S. CROSS COUNTRY ALL-ISLAND MEET
IIAAG GIRLS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
BRAWL 3
Events for October
14th
ISA H.S. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
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14th
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15th
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17th
MEN’S SOCCER: GUAM V SINGAPORE
ISA H.S. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Events for October
17th
Events for October
20th
IIAAG GIRLS VOLLEYBALL ALL-ISLAND MEETING
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Events for October
21st
ISA H.S. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
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Events for October
21st
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22nd
Events for October
24th
Events for October
28th
ISA H.S. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Events for October
29th
I MAS METGOT COMPETITION (GUAM’S STRONGEST MAN & WOMAN)
Events for October
29th

Basketball
FUETSA SNAPS BOMBERS’ 41-GAME WIN STREAK

MMA/Boxing
BRAWL 3 TO PACK A PUNCH WITH LOADED CARD
COMING SOON …
- High school girls volleyball playoffs
- Brawl 3: Oct 13
- Guam’s Strongest Man and Woman Competition October 29