
By Jay Leon Guerrero
Guam basketball never stops!
Activity in the Guam Basketball Confederation continues with the FIBA Oceania U17 Championships set to take place later this month in Noumea, New Caledonia. Guam will send a contingent of 28 players and coaches for both the boys and girls divisions to take on the best teams from the Oceania region.
The Guam boys team consists of an all star team from different villages and schools from the Island. Head coach Brent Tipton has been tapped to lead the team and will be assisted by Jordan Tingson.
According to the FIBA Oceania website, the top teams will be in Group A and the lower ranked teams will be in Group B. Guam has been ranked in Group A and will face a couple of powerhouse teams in the opening rounds.
ROSTER
Brent San Nicolas
Colin Santiago
Rylen Cajigal
Brock Ada
Daryl Robles
Kirston Guzman
EJ Cruz
Elijah Garrido
Dylan Trusso
Isaiah Malig
Westbrook Concepcion
Jaen Paraliza
Blaise Ada
Jeremiah David
Coaches
Brent Tipton
Jordan Tingson.
Here are the groups:
Group A (Men’s and Women’s)
Australia
Guam
New Zealand
Samoa
Group B (Men’s and Women’s)
Cook Islands
New Caledonia
Papua New Guinea
Tahiti
The boys team has been practicing since the beginning of summer and are looking to use their strengths to put up points against the bigger teams.
“We will be going against a lot of taller players so our strategy is to hustle and work hard on every play,” said shooting guard Isaiah Malig.
With the Men’s National Basketball team recently coming back to Guam with a Gold in the Pacific Games, the youth team members know they have much on their plate to continue the success for Guam basketball.
“The Men’s team showed us that the hard work they put in by coming here (Guam National Training gym) early in the morning to work out,” said Malig. “All of that reflects on us too so we really need to focus and continue to work hard as well.”
“We’ve been working hard for the last three to four months every single day,” said point guard Jaen Paraliza. “It feels great to represent Guam at a young age; i feel blessed to have this opportunity,” added Paraliza. Paraliza said that the team chemistry is getting stronger everyday under the tutelage of coaches Tipton and Tingson.
The squad had to make some adjustments after playing against each other for most of their young lives. The kids come from different schools and are rivals for the most part, but all of that is put aside to represent their island.
“It was really hard at first but once we got to know each other, our bond really grew and we started to play as a team,” said Malig. “Coach Tipton taught us how to play together and learn each other’s game. We formed a brotherhood and we also hang out to learn about one another.”
The team will experience a new culture in New Caledonia. Noumea is highly influenced by French culture.
“I’ve seen some things about New Caledonia on YouTube but I really don’t know their language,” said Paraliza who said he doesn’t know French.
The top two teams in Group A will advance straight to the semi-finals after pool play. The bottom two teams in Group A will face the top two teams in Group B to advance to the semi-finals. Guam hosted the last FIBA Oceania tournament and finished with a bronze medal.
The girls team will be featured later this week.
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
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- The Guam U17 boys hit practice at the National Training Center in Tiyan. (photo by Raine Delos Reyes)
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- The Guam U17 boys hit practice at the National Training Center in Tiyan. (photo by Raine Delos Reyes)
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- The Guam U17 boys hit practice at the National Training Center in Tiyan. (photo by Raine Delos Reyes)
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- The Guam U17 boys hit practice at the National Training Center in Tiyan. (photo by Raine Delos Reyes)


GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
12th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2K/5K
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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