Connect with us

Feature

BEST TO WEAR IT: GUAM SPORTS JERSEY NUMBERS (PART III)

The countdown to the most iconic jersey numbers continues in Part III!

By GSPN

The countdown to the most iconic jersey numbers continues in Part III!

We’re taking a trip down memory lane to highlight 20 of the most iconic numbers in all of Guam sports and some of (not all) the biggest names to wear them, along with ranking them based on the athletes who wore them in this four-part series.

10. #3

The 3: This number has been popularized by athletes by this past generation, notably worn by Guam’s Kali ‘Special K’ Benavente, who wore the number in high school, playing collegiate at Chaminade and for the National Team. Team Guam’s Captain Mary Gillan has made the ‘3’ most famous in the Guam Volleyball scene, with two Micro Games Gold medals in her back pocket! Back-to-back 1000-yard seasons from Kein Artero was accomplished rocking the ‘3’, which is retired at FD, and even Olivia Flores Elliott tore up fields winning five titles with Legacy for women’s football. High school champs Monica Giger (basketball ) and Colleen Quinata (volleyball) also favored the ‘3’.


9. #11

The 11: The ‘Helicopter’ Tony Susuico and son Seve both held down the ’11’ for Guam Basketball for multiple generations. Ivan Shiroma chose the ’11’ when he played football in the 70’s-80’s during an era high in competition on the grid iron. Matao’s Dylan Naputi took on the ’11’ in high school and as a pro and Maree Pelkey captained the Women’s National Basketball Team as the most notable female to wear the ’11’. Sharp-shooting legend Erwin Villa could probably drop ’11’ treys in any given game. Smooth playing Rick Miner turned many a double play in the GML with the double unos. Youngster Austia Mendiola also sports the ’11’.


8. #8

The 8: A wide range of athletes have taken on the ‘8’ and none more accomplished than Guam Basketball’s Jin Han, winning six Micro Games gold medals and a handful more in the Pacific Games. Plenty of varsity football titles were won under quarterback’s Brant McCreadie and Danny Manibusan, two of the best quarterbacks Guam has seen. GW Geckos Luis Mesngon and Skyylerblu Johnson represented the ‘8’ with Mesngon also wearing the number for the Men’s National Volleyball Team. Add rugby’s Jacob Flores to this list.


7. #21

The 21: On the GSPN Mt. Rushmore of basketball greats, Chris Fernandez made the ’21’ standout in the 90’s. Baseball’s Tony Yatar is still playing baseball under the ’21’ and has been playing long enough to share a GML championship with his kids! Ryan Bigler didn’t wear a number when he fought in the cage, but he unleashed punishment as a safety in the men’s football leagues. There was none bigger a ’21’ but Big John Farnum. The fiercest slugger Guam has ever seen, Farnum’s home runs were orbital and majestic. Some of those rocket shots have still not landed out of the Paseo dark skies.


6. #23

The 23: JR Hattig put Guam baseball on the map representing the ’23’ in the major leagues as a Toronto Blue Jay. The ‘Last Dance’ documentary reminded everyone what the ’23’ meant to basketball, which has only trickled down to some of Guam’s best hoopers, like Mt. Rushmore’s Joe Taitano. Professional Morgan Aiken and Joy Pangilinan, both from the St. Paul Warriors, also wore the ’23’ with Panglinan wearing it as part of the Women’s National team. Matao’s Shane Malcolm rocked the ’23’ helping Guam achieve it’s highest FIFA World Ranking ever! GW’s Valiant Borja won a football MVP and title under the ’23’.


Part II


Part I


Just missed the cut

#2 – Janniliese Quintanilla (basketball), Logan Pangelinan (volleyball), Mike Bautista (baseball), Paige Surber (rugby), Travon Jacobs (football), Gianna Sarusal (football)

#7 – Roger Wahl (football), Gary Aromin (volleyball), Eddie Aguon (baseball), Jocelyn Pardilla (basketball), Rosae Calvo (rugby)

#33 – Bruce Meno (football), Buzzy Shiroma (football)

#44 – Benjie Pangelinan (football), Fred Peters (basketball), Brandon Chandler (football)

#72 –  Zach Banner (football), Mike Cassidy (football)


UP NEXT

Saturday: 5-1

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

October

November 2024

December
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
Events for October

1st

Events for November

2nd

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Events for November

2nd

No Events
Events for November

4th

Events for November

5th

Events for November

6th

Events for November

7th

Events for November

8th

Events for November

9th

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Events for November

10th

Events for November

11th

Events for November

12th

Events for November

13th

Events for November

14th

Events for November

15th

Events for November

16th

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Events for November

16th

No Events
Events for November

18th

Events for November

19th

Events for November

20th

Events for November

21st

Events for November

22nd

Events for November

23rd

24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Events for November

23rd

No Events
Events for November

25th

Events for November

26th

Events for November

27th

Events for November

27th

No Events
Events for November

29th

Events for November

30th

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

COMING SOON …

Lots of 2nd Quarter Sports

Guam vs. Japan men’s basketball November 24

QUICK HITS

Guam Blooded: Southern California high school volleyball coach Gerald Aquiningoc Alvarez has led his Long Beach Poly High School Girls team to the CIG southern section championship.
Alvarez has been coaching in Southern Cal for 16 years, winning CIF championships four times.
Born and raised in Cali, his roots are in Santa Rita-Sumay, and his uncles are popular baseball players Pat and Dale Alvarez.
——————————————————

The Fall PONY Bronco youth baseball league 12U came to an end with the Rangers going 7-0, defeating the Buckaroos 13-3 in the championship game.

More in Feature