By Jay Leon Guerrero
Guam Basketball leaped over another hurdle Wednesday with victories in the FIBA Asia Cup 3×3 tournament in Singapore.
According to head coach EJ Calvo, Guam notched its first victories in the event. Guam entered the tournament ranked 22nd in the women’s division and the men’s team was 28th. Both teams would face higher ranked teams in their pool and definitive upset victories were needed to advance. Despite landing a day before their games, both teams were ready.
The women’s team were only able to field three players with center Mia San Nicolas unable to attend.
Expect the unexpected when Guam takes the court.
Despite not advancing, both teams were able to get a victory – a first in the 3×3 Asia Cup.
“We are confirming…but our wins on Wednesday appear to be the first for Guam in FIBA Asia 3×3 competition,” said Calvo. “They were awesome!”.
Women’s Team
The women’s team had no subs with young prospects Kara Duenas, Elysia Perez and Mia Taitano taking on Asia’s best.
In their first game, Guam faced a tall squad from Turkmenistan and fell 21-14. Duenas had to play center but her toughness showed the taller Turkmenistan players that Guam was not to be out hustled. Duenas was aggressive with her defense which frustrated the Turkmenistan forwards. Perez and Taitano were able to create shots for themselves and the game was close until the whining moments. Perez led all scorers in the contest with eight points.
In the women’s next game, they faced Papua New Guinea and Taitano set the tone early with a 2-pointer. Perez continued to be aggressive and scored 11 points as Guam made history and won their first Asia 3×3 Cup game with a final score of 20-9.
The ladies played their third game of the tournament and after arriving the day before, fatigue may have been a factor against the 9th ranked Kazakhstan. Guam fell 21-4 in a game that eliminated them from advancing.
Men’s Team
In the men’s division, the team of Reo Aiken, Tomas Calvo, Matt Fegurgur and Mark Johnson entered the tournament ranked 28th. They took on the 8th-ranked Qatar team and struggled offensively. Guam lost 13-7 with Johnson leading the way with four points.
In their next game, Guam took on 13th-ranked Kyrgyzstan. The game started with Kyrgyzstan taking the lead and it looked like Guam was on their way to another loss. The young team dug deep, playing good defense and showing more patience on offense. Momentum shifted after Calvo rattled in a two-pointer. That paved the way for Fegurgur who added to his highlight reel with another dunk. Calvo’s lay-up high off the glass gave Guam the lead for good as time wined down on Kyrgyzstan to give Guam the 15-13 victory over a higher ranked team.
The men’s team finished 1-1 in pool G. Although both teams did not score enough to advance to the next round, their play earned them respect in the 3×3 game. Expect bigger things to happen in the future.
GPS Sports Calendar
March 2024
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
1st
ISA SOFTBALL
IIAAG MS GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
Events for March
2nd
HS RUGBY
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
2nd
Events for March
4th
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
ISA SOFTBALL ALL-ISLAND COACHES MEETING
Events for March
5th
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for March
8th
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYOFFS
Events for March
9th
ISA SOFTBALL FINALS
HS RUGBY FINALS
Events for March
9th
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14th
- 17
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- 23
Events for March
16th
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17th
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18th
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19th
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20th
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22nd
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24th
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25th
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27th
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28th
Events for March
29th
- 31
- 1
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Events for March
30th
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
COMING SOON …
4th Quarter Sports
- Guam Marathon