GUAM TAKES DOWN THAILAND IN FIBA HOOPS

By Jay Leon Guerrero

The Guam National Basketball Team executed down the stretch to sneak away with a 75-69 victory against Thailand at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers in Mongolia.

Tai Wesley sank a floater with 52 seconds left to give Guam a 71-69 lead. Guam forced Thailand’s Tyler Lamb to take a low percentage shot with the shot clock running down to maintain their lead with 30 seconds left.

Team Guam then moved the ball around to find an open look but Thailand was pressuring Wesley and preventing shooter Ernest Ross from getting an open look.

As the shot clock was winding down to seconds remaining, a cutting Jericho Cruz pulled up and drained a jump shot to give Guam the insurance bucket and a 73-69 advantage.

Thailand called a timeout with four seconds remaining but turned the ball over with four seconds left and that was the game. Cruz made two free throws at the end of the game with a final score of 75-69.

“I’m so proud of our team and how we defended down the stretch,” said head coach EJ Calvo.

“That was arguably the best team that Team Guam has ever beat. This is a huge win that gives us a great chance to advance in FIBA Asia. We will rest and prepare for a quick Malaysia team tomorrow and I expect our bench to step up big for us”.

– Guam head coach EJ Calvo

The contest was back and forth with several lead changes. Frederick Lish had the hot hand for Thailand and finished the game with 29 points. Lish was a difference for Thailand and spark-plugged the offense for the Thai team.

Guam big man Jonathan Galloway was a force in the paint and ended up with 22 points and 19 rebounds. Wesley had 17 points and 14 rebounds, Ross had 16 points and four steals, and Cruz finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

Guam challenged a different Thai team they played in 2018 and they were prepared for the new and improved Thailand squad.

Back in 2018, Guam defeated Thailand at the pre-qualifiers 91-70. Ernest Ross had a game 31 points in the game. 

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