Nov 25, 2023
Saturday, November 26, 2023 – 17th Pacific Games, Honiara, Solomon Islands
It was a bittersweet ending for Guam’s men’s basketball team as they competed in their seventh consecutive finals appearance trying for a three-peat. The team kept up with their Fijian counterparts throughout the contest as they fell early in the match 11-19 but was able to rebound from the deficit to take a 36-32 lead at the half.
It was a struggle during the last half of the game with the gold medal in sight. Guam was unable to connect with their attempts at the basket. In a defensive match, Fiji tied the game early in the third quarter and held on throughout the contest. The final half witnessed the lowest scoring affair as Guam was only able to put up 11points against Fiji’s 18 points for a final score of 47-50 and settled for the silver medal.
Fiji brought home the glory avenging their 2015 loss in Papua New Guinea and denied Guam a three-peat of the title in front of a ruckus crowd at the Friendship Hall in Solomon Islands. Takumi Simon and Destiny Castro was named to the all-tourney team. The silver medal brings Guam’s medal count to four gold, three silver, and two bronze.
In Tennis action, Camden Camacho and Fremont Gibson advanced to the elite 8 in their respective divisions. Gibson dismissed Fiji’s Ruby Coffin in the first match of the day 6-1,6-7 while Camacho ousted Tuvalu’s Maka Foster Ofati 4-6, 5-7.
In doubles action, Gibson and Sydney Packbier also advanced to the elite 8 upending Samoa 7-6, 6-3. Mason Caldwell and Arman Sachdev fell to 8th seed Tuvalu 4-6,0-6, while top seed doubles tandem of Camden Camacho and Daniel Llarenes advanced to the elite 8 romping over the host Solomon Islands tandem 6-1, 6-2.
Guam swimmers competed in the 5k Open Water Swim meet at the DC Park which included Israel Poppe, John Wooley IV, and Amaya Bollinger. Unfortunately, the rough conditions along with rain hampered their ability to meet the 75-minute time limit.
Action will continue on Monday, November 27, 2023, as all athletes will have the customary day of rest on Sunday. The first week of competition wrapped up as athletes head back home. The second week will see Athletics, Basketball3x3, Taekwondo, Tennis, and Va’a.