GUAM DOWNS PNG, WILL FACE KIWIS IN SEMIS

A pair of Noahs led the Guam boys into the 2022 FIBA U15 Oceania Championship semifinals.

Noah Tenorio (19 pts) and Noah Cruz (17 pts) guided Guam to a 102-71 win over Papua New Guinea on Thanksgiving afternoon at the UOG Calvo Field House.

Guam now has the tough task of taking on New Zealand in the semifinals on Friday. The Kiwis cruised past Guam just two days ago.

Guam head coach Danny Payumo evenly distributed the minutes for all 12 boys. The fresh legs proved effective as Guam came back from a 43-38 halftime deficit to a huge second half, outscoring PNG by 36 points.

William Aisek’s 3-pointer at the 2:32 mark of the third quarter ignited Guam’s second half explosion and they never looked back.

All 12 players registered double digits in minutes played and got on the scoreboard. Colin Baker was next with 13 points behind the two Noahs.

The semifinal match against New Zealand on Friday will be at 8:15 pm.

GIRLS GAME: New Zealand 99, Guam 51

Sazzanei Quintanilla scored an impressive 22 points, including 5-for-10 from 3-point range, in a gritty loss to the Kiwis.

Guam will take on the top-ranked Australians Friday at 3:45 pm. Barring any seismic upset, the third place game awaits on Saturday at 12:15 pm.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF FIBA

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