The FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament will be conducted in the Pacific Island paradise of Guam from 12th to 20th July 2008. The tournament logo is being finalised this week, after which information will be sent to all federation about participation in the event. Federations interested in participating should remember the following:
1.
The FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament will be conducted in the Pacific Island paradise of Guam from 12th to 20th July 2008. The tournament logo is being finalised this week, after which information will be sent to all federation about participation in the event. Federations interested in participating should remember the following:
1. Only 8 men's and 8 women's teams are accepted, due to the cost to the host federation of conducting the event. 2. Only 13 people per team (10 players, 1 coach, 1 manager and 1 referee) will be accepted per team. If a federation enters a men's and a women's team, they will be entitled to bring an additional Head of Delegation person. 3. The host (Guam) will cover the accommodation, ground transport, venue hire and meal costs for all teams from 11th July until 21st July. 4. Teams will not be accepted unless they have a suitably qualified and experienced referee to accompany the team. 5. An Oceania men's and women's All Star team, plus All Star coaches and referees will be selected to participate in the Australian Under 18 National Championships, which will be held in February 2009. 6. Players must be 19 years or under to participate - bron 1st January 1989 or after. 7. Australia and New Zealand participate in this event.
Fiji - Guam 95:58
Fiji National team won the Gold medals at the South Pacific Games in Samoa. They defeated Guam in the Final game yesterday to claim the title. Fiji completed the tournament undefeated winning all 7 games. The title decider was highly anticipated as the teams met earlier in the competition and Fiji managed to celebrate a narrow 71:70 win.
Fiji - Guam 95:58 Fiji National team won the Gold medals at the South Pacific Games in Samoa. They defeated Guam in the Final game yesterday to claim the title. Fiji completed the tournament undefeated winning all 7 games. The title decider was highly anticipated as the teams met earlier in the competition and Fiji managed to celebrate a narrow 71:70 win. So the final clash was thought to be a fierce tight battle of well-matched squads. However Fiji never allowed Guam to produce any sort of intrigue. They took control over the game early on and dominated the court in the first quarter. Fiji players built up a 19:14 lead. Guam could not stay close in the second quarter and bunch of missed shots saw them fall to 22:38 distance from Fiji at halftime. The change in the game was not spotted after the break. Fiji easily overcame Guam defense and piled up their lead. They reached a 65:31 mark after three quarters and already started to celebrate victory. Guam nailed as many as 27 points in the fourth stanza but it never helped them to cut the deficit and Fiji became the new South Pacific Games champions. Laisiasa Puamau led Fiji with 17 points. Frank Saketa contributed 16 points, while Adrian Bossley had 13 points for the winners. Andrew Borja scored 11 points for Guam. Chris Fernandez and Edward Calvo netted 9 points apiece in defeat. Fiji shot 54% of field goals and 46% from charity stripe. Guam lacked accuracy from the field posting just 35% and converted 45% of free throws. Fiji pulled down massive 63 rebounds allowing their opponents to grab just 32 boards.
Guam started their South Pacific Games campaign with two comprehensive victories and clombed on top of Pool 1.
Guam - Cook Islands 105:29
Guam looked too strong for Cook Islands in their South Pacific Games opener for both teams. Guam dominated throughout the game and deservedly recorded an impressive victory. Anthony Borja produced 24 points for Guam.
Guam started their South Pacific Games campaign with two comprehensive victories and clombed on top of Pool 1. Guam - Cook Islands 105:29 Guam looked too strong for Cook Islands in their South Pacific Games opener for both teams. Guam dominated throughout the game and deservedly recorded an impressive victory. Anthony Borja produced 24 points for Guam. William Stinnett (186-G-86) added 17 points for the winners. Cook Islands replied with 8 points and 5 boards from Peter Teiti. John Engu had 5 points in a losing effort. Guam outrebounded their opponents 50:29 and forced them to 25 turnovers. They also converted solid 50% from the field and 66% from free throw line. Cook Islands responded with 39% of field goals and 37% of free throws.
Guam: Anthony Borja 24, William Stinnett 17 Cook Islands: Peter Teiti 8, John Engu 5
Guam - Solomon Islands 90:56 Guam took on Solomon Islands in the second round of action and recorded their second straight success. Guam spurred ahead from the start of the encounter and piled up a 43:22 advantage at halftime. Guam continued to deliver after the break and established a 68:31 lead entering the fourth quarter. They cruised to a confident win at the end and improved to 2-0 record at the tournament. Anthony Borja paced Guam with 15 points. William Stinnett and Edward Calvo provided 14 points apiece. Allen Wanefai scored 13 points and pulled down 6 boards for Solomon Islands. Alexander McFaden added 9 points in a loss. Guam once again shot 50% from the field. They dominated under the rims outrebounding Solomon Islands 33:28.
Guam: Anthony Borja 15, William Stinnett 14, Edward Calvo 14 Solomon Islands: Allen Wanefai 13+6 boards, Alexander McFaden 9
Willie Stinett and Seve Suisuico to play in Phillipines
Willie Stinett and Seve Suisuico have signed a letter of Intent to accept a full scholarship to play for Adamson University in the Philippines. After a Guam NT friendship game, the two Players were approached by Adamson's Head Coach Bogs Adornado and the Athletic Director Ruel Dela Rosa.
Willie Stinett and Seve Suisuico have signed a letter of Intent to accept a full scholarship to play for Adamson University in the Philippines. After a Guam NT friendship game, the two Players were approached by Adamson's Head Coach Bogs Adornado and the Athletic Director Ruel Dela Rosa. Willie and Seve are looking forward to improving their basketball skills and stepping up their level of play for the future of Guam Basketball. source: GBC
Guam submit Preliminary squad for the South Pacific Games
Guam Basketball Association submitted a 18-name preliminary roster for the upcoming 2007 South Pacific Games which will be held in Samoa. The squad features many experienced players at this level like Vincent Estella, William Stinnett or Sev Susuico. A couple of good players were unavailable for the tournament like Andre Lawson, Gabe Lombard or Anis Taylor.
Guam Basketball Association submitted a 18-name preliminary roster for the upcoming 2007 South Pacific Games which will be held in Samoa. The squad features many experienced players at this level like Vincent Estella, William Stinnett or Sev Susuico. A couple of good players were unavailable for the tournament like Andre Lawson, Gabe Lombard or Anis Taylor.
Guam extended squad - SPG 2007: Joseph Cepeda John Chaco Anthony Thacker Andrew Borja Shintaro Okada Michael Atoigue Dennis Camacho William Stinnett III Edward Calvo Tyler-Charles Smith Sandy Fejeran Conrad Berg Vincent Estella Chris Fernandez Jine Han Seve Susuico Bruce Aguon Reggie Rechebong
Only players from Guam was selected in the Oceania All-Stars team after the 2006 FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament: Joe Blas. The team made a tour in Australia and played in the U20 Nationals against the best australian players born in 1988 and 1989. The Oceania All-Stars were unable to win a single game in Australia but all the players should have learn a lot in this tournament.
Only players from Guam was selected in the Oceania All-Stars team after the 2006 FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament: Joe Blas. The team made a tour in Australia and played in the U20 Nationals against the best australian players born in 1988 and 1989. The Oceania All-Stars were unable to win a single game in Australia but all the players should have learn a lot in this tournament. Joe had some troubles with his shooting skills against the strong defense there but he was one of the best performer of the All-Star team.
Final Standings: New South Wales Queensland Western Australia Australia Capital Territory South Australia Victoria Tasmania Oceania All-Star
Stats: Joe Blas 11.2pts 32.3%FG 5.0rbs 0.8ast 0.8st 29min
FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament 2008 to be held in Guam
The FIBA Oceania Management Committee last week voted to allocate the 2008 FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament to the Guam Basketball Federation, following consideration of expressions of interest from American Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
The FIBA Oceania Management Committee last week voted to allocate the 2008 FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament to the Guam Basketball Federation, following consideration of expressions of interest from American Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. In making the announcement, FIBA Oceania confirmed that the event in 2008 will be for boys and girls 19 years and under (using the FIBA cut-off dates) that is to say, boys and girls born on or after January 1st 1989 or later.
The Guam Basketball Federation propose to stage the competition in the Fieldhouse of the University of Guam, venue for the basketball competition in the 1999 SPG's and to house athletes and officials at Ladera Towers, a resort hotel complex only 15 minutes drive from the competition venue. The event will be staged in either the 2nd or 3rd week in June. In announcing the decision today, FIBA Oceania Secretary General Steve Smith said: “Taking the 7th Youth Basketball Tournament to Guam will complete the circle of hosting regions since the event began in Fiji in 1997. The event has been played in Polynesia, Melanesia and Anglonesia. Taking the event to Guam will allow Micronesia to have its turn at hosting the regional competition. The Guam Basketball federation has supported the event in 2004 and 2006 with their participation in events in Australia and New Zealand and we are hopeful that taking the event to Micronesia in 2008 will be an incentive for greater participation by basketball federations from that part of our zone.” It is hoped that with advanced notice of the location of the next Youth Tournament and clear statement of age category, basketball federations can begin the task of identifying and training the group of boys and girls who might form their national squads for the event and plan the fundraising efforts needed to get their teams to Guam.
Guam, a traditional powerhouse of Oceanian basketball, came in Auckland with a lot of newcomers to play in the FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament. Led by experienced players like Andrew Borja and Joseph Blas, the team claimed the 5th place with a 4-2 record.
As usual, Guam was one of the smallest team in the tournament but the guameses are never short on talent.
Guam, a traditional powerhouse of Oceanian basketball, came in Auckland with a lot of newcomers to play in the FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament. Led by experienced players like Andrew Borja and Joseph Blas, the team claimed the 5th place with a 4-2 record.
As usual, Guam was one of the smallest team in the tournament but the guameses are never short on talent. Coach Sid Guzman decided to bring a lot of newcomers to the team and was happy to rely on more experienced like Borja, Blas but also Mike Williams. Williams played for Palau in the 2006 Microgames but he was elligible to play for Guam thanks to his american heritage and because the Microgames are not held by the FIBA. Borja and Blas also were playing with the senior NT in these Microgames and their experience really was a major advantage for the team. Guam managed to secure the pool second place behind Australia but the team lost its quarterfinal contest against New Caledonia en-route to the Bronze medal. Borja and Blas scored more than half of the team's points and the starting five (Broja, Blas, Williams, Martinez, Charfauros) scored 87% of the team's points. Depth has been an issue for the coaches but the biggest issues was as usual the lack of size. Guam was able to overcome that with a great running game and great shooters. Mike Williams is a great shooter but Jude Martinez, one of the newcomers, really made a great tournament and came out as the team's third best scorer. The coach Sid Guzman did a good job with its roster and was awarded the coaching position in the Oceania All-Star Team. Guam ended at the fifth place, a logical result. The team is lightyears away from being able to compete against Australia and New Zealand but Guam is on the same level as Tahiti and Fiji, trying to defeat the best small Pacific nation: New Caledonia. In the South Pacific Games in 2007 in Samoa, Guam might send some of the U20 players to get the Gold medal. And maybe someday, a kid from Guam would grow taller than 205cm...
Pools: Guam - Australia: 59-100 A tough game to start this tournament against the mighty australian squad. The undersized guameses tried to play their game but the australian domination in the paint was to much to overcome. Stats: Joseph Blas 13pts 6/15FG 8rbs, Jude Martinez 11pts 4/8FG, Andrew Borja 8pts 4/14FG
Guam - American Samoa: 102-83 With this victory, Guam is sure to avoid the pool's last spot and a potential quarterfinal against New Zealand. Joseph Blas was the team leader in the crucial moment and scored 29pts. Stats: Joseph Blas 29pts 8/19FG 14rbs 5st, Jude Martinez 18pts 7/14FG, Andrew Borja 17pts 8/17FG
Guam - Tahiti: 76-70 A very close game for the pool's second phase and Guam was able to come out with a 6-point win thanks to the experienced Andrew Borja. Borja made a quiet start in this pool phase and recorded 32pts in this last contest. Stats: Andrew Borja 32pts 13/23FG 9rbs, Roque Charfauros 17pts 8/18FG 5rbs 6ast, Joseph Blas 15pts 4/13FG 8rbs
Pool Standing: 1- Australia 3-0 2- Guam 2-1 3- Tahiti 1-2 4- American Samoa 0-3
Quarterfinals: Guam - New Caledonia: 63-75 The undersized guameses were unable to stop a solid caledonian team en-route to the Bronze medal despite a 23-point effort from Borja. Stats: Andrew Borja 23pts 10/21FG 6rbs, Joseph Blas 17pts 4/14FG 6rbs, Jude Martinez 13pts 5/17FG
Classification game: Guam - American Samoa: 72-63 As usual Guam was dominated in the paint (43rbs to 57) but they managed to secure quite an easy win over the unexperienced american samoan side. Stats: Joseph Blas 20pts 7/18FG 10rbs, Andrew Borja 16pts 8/19FG 11rbs, Jude Martinez 15pts 7/16FG.
5th place game: Guam - Fiji: 90-68 Guam secured an easy 22-point against a disapointing fijian team, the guameses were already leading 44-28 at half-time and seems more motivated by this game. Stats: Joseph Blas 23pts 8/14FG 6rbs, Andrew Borja 17pts 8/18FG 6rbs 5ast, Jude Martinez 16pts 6/13FG
Final Standings: 1- New Zealand 2- Australia 3- New Caledonia 4- Tahiti 5- Guam 6- Fiji 7- American Samoa 8- Papua New Guinea
Players recap: Joseph Blas (183-F/C) A solid tournament for him, he played center 30 per game despite being 20cm smaller than his opponents. He managed to get almost 9rpg and was able to lead his team in scoring. He used his speed in the paint to find a way to shoot and he's got a nice hook shot. His natural position would be a tweener between the 3/4. He just needs to improve his three-point shooting. He was voted in the Oceania All-Star Team. Andrew Borja (F) He was the most complete player of the squad and an inspiratonal leader playing both forward positions. He helped his team secured the pool second phase with a 32pts 9rbs effort over Tahiti unfortunatly Guam would loose its quarterfinal game vs New Caledonia. Great slasher but a good court vision, he's able to steal the ball and got the rebounds. Three-point shooting can be improved. Jude Martinez (G/F) He splits his time between the 2 and 3 positions but good results. He was the team's best shooter with Williams. He was a great third scoring option and always hit the shots when he was open. He did a pretty good job on defense. He was smaller than his opponents but he used his speed to come off the picks for a clear view at the rim. Roque Charfauros (G) The guard is more a defensive specialist. He can score some points on fast-breaks but his shooting remains an issue. He helped his team on rebounds and his role was the stop the opponents best win player. He did a pretty good job at it. Mike Williams (G) The PG came from Palau to help Guam, he was elligible to play for the guamese NT thanks to his american heritage. Not a great scorer but he's a terrific three-point shooter. Good on the rebounds, he was the team's leader in assists and he's got quick hands that allowed him to steal the ball quite often. Palau will miss him. Albert Andrea (G) The only valuable scoring option on the bench, he was hold to 6 minutes per game by his coach maybe because of his unidimensional and kind of selfish game. Mike Pacheco (F/C) The back-up center was more happy outside the paint because of the lack of size. Not a great scorer, he was unable to get the rebounds against taller opponents. Kurt Carter (180-F-91) The 15-year old forward was a nice back-up in the paint despite his lack of scoring. Like his teamates his undersized but he's pretty experienced despite his young age. Frank Aguon (F) A small forward without a three-point shot. He's good on rebounds and he's good slasher but he needs to improve his shooting skills. Dominic Sablan (G) The back-up point-guard made a disapointing tournament on the offensive end, he was unable to hit the shots but he produced some good sequence on the defensive end.
Andrew Borja is the leader of a talented Guam team in the FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament in Auckland, New Zealand. He talked with the reporters there about his feelings on this tournament, about his homeland and about the games of his team in the Pools. Borja was a member of the Guam NT during the Microgames earlier this year and hopes to be a part of the team for the upcoming South-Pacific Games i
Andrew Borja is the leader of a talented Guam team in the FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament in Auckland, New Zealand. He talked with the reporters there about his feelings on this tournament, about his homeland and about the games of his team in the Pools. Borja was a member of the Guam NT during the Microgames earlier this year and hopes to be a part of the team for the upcoming South-Pacific Games in Samoa in 2007. Source: Basketball NZ
Tell me something about Guam... Well, first and foremost, it is a beautiful place... very mellow and relaxing, not so busy and fast paced like other places.
You must be really enjoying this Auckland weather? It is a lot different. We only have one season in Guam and that's summer, compared to here where it's cold. We're not used to dressing with extra clothing like this every day. They did warn us not to get sick.
Where is Guam? We are somewhat near Hawaii... it is about a 3-hour flight to Japan. According to the other teams, we traveled the furthest to get there, almost a day.
You were well beaten by Australia, but the wins over American Samoa and Tahiti must make you feel better. We feel a lot better. I think we have regrouped after the win over Am Samoa.
Both the Guam teams seem much shorter than their opposition ... are you conscious of this? Yes, but we still believe we can win ... it's all in our minds and our hearts. We train twice as hard because we lack the height. Conditioning is one of our biggest factors and we rely on our speed.
