Guam women ready for gold • Palau, Guam men advance to championship

Guam 82, Kiribati 17

Majuro –– The seventh day of Outrigger’s Micronesian Basketball Tournament began the second session with Guam beating Kiribati 82 to 17. The leading scorers for the game were Guam’s Kristina French and Helena Fernandez who scored 15 points apiece. Another contributor was Bobby Meno (10 points). Moyra Ome led Kiribati with 6 points. The leading rebounder Iona Evangelista of Guam grabbed 10 boards.

Guam 82, Pohnpei 67

Guam’s men advance to the gold medal game by defeating Pohnpei. The hard fought victory was attributed to field goal shooting. Guam’s shots were hitting, and Pohnpei’s were not.
Guam’s offensive success allowed for them to take 37-28 halftime lead. The second half was the same. The final score was 82-67.

Team field goal shooting for Guam was 50 percent. Pohnpei could only muster a paltry 28 percent from the floor. Another statistical category of interest was rebounding. Guam pulled down 29 compared to Pohnpei’s 50. Both teams were pretty even in all other areas of importance.

Cassidy Shoniber of Pohnpei led all scorers with 23 points. Another contributor for Pohnpei was Maxy Samuel with 13 points. Jason Acfalle led Guam with 22 points. Other contributors for Guam were Lloyd Lagutang (15 points) and John Paul Taimanglo (13 points). The leading rebounder for the game was John Paul Taimanglo who pulled down 16 boards.

Palau 68, RMI 63

Palau held off a second half comeback against RMI in the men’s game that decided who would play Guam for the gold medal. It was a slow tempo game that came down to free throws and second chance opportunities as Palau won down the stretch 68-63. Outstanding offensive play by Gabriel Gufnay enabled Palau to take an early lead and a 35-26 halftime scoring edge.
In the second half, RMI came to life with a spirited inside game. Posting down low to Justin Dorham and Randy Graham, RMI was able to come from behind and take a 52-50 lead with 9:30 left in regulation.

The rest of the contest was close and came down to Palau’s ability to make second chance shots that were created by offensive rebounding. Gufnay took control late in the game by hitting successive baskets. Missed shots by RMI ended their hopes of a thrilling comeback. Palau will get a second chance at redemption against Guam when the two teams square off in the championship game on Monday.
RMI still has a chance for a bronze medal Monday as they will once again play Pohnpei.
Gufnay’s game leading 18 points (8 for 11 from the field) and 11 rebounds earned him Player of the Game Honors. Arlee Maidezil (13 points and 5 assists), Weston Ketebengang (11 points), and Sunshine Soalablai (10 points) were other notable contributors for Palau’s winning performance. RMI’s Justin Dorham (16 points and 15 rebounds) and Robert Pinho (15 points and 15 rebounds) posted a double apiece, while Randy Graham scored 11 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.

TEAM STANDINGS

MEN’S DIVISION AS OF AUG. 6, 2000

Team Games Played Wins Losses Placing

Guam 4 4 0 1 or 2

Palau 4 3 1 1 or 2

Marshall Islands 4 3 1 3 or 4

Pohnpei 4 3 1 3 or 4

Kosrae 3 1 2 5 or 6

Chuuk 3 1 3 5 or 6

Kiribati 4 1 3 7

Yap 4 0 4 8