The Guam U17 Junior National Girls Basketball Team earned a berth in the championship game, dropping both opponents in Saturday’s matchups in the 2nd Annual PYD Buddy’s International Basketball Tournament 2016 at Lucban, Philippines.
Team Guam is facing the winner of the Adam’s-CEFI Cougars game for a shot at the PYD title.
In the first game of the day, Team Guam downed the host team PYD-Lucban 61-26, composed of players from Southern Luzon State University.
Running the length of the floor, Guam pressed and harassed the Lucban guards, jumping out to a 19-6 lead. Guam’s Shania Bulala and Isla Quinata paced the offense, pouring in 11 of the team’s first-quarter points.
Team Guam’s stingy defense continued to keep any hopes of a comeback at bay and they cruised to the 61-26 victory.
Deearah Torre and Therese Fegurgur led all scorers with 10 points apiece.
In the late game, Guam dropped PYD-Manila 82-26. Four Guam players — Danica Cabrera, Deearah Torre, Jade Torre, and Monica Giger — dropped double digits in the rout.
With the win, Team Guam finishes the tournament undefeated and is hoping for a chance to bring a trophy home for Guam.
The U17 team is hoping to develop and grow together, in hopes of being competitive at the 2018 Oceania Basketball Tournament. This is their first competition together.
The tournament features six teams from the Southern Luzon and Manila area. Comprised mostly of university and high school players in the region, the tournament is the first competition for the U17 team. The eventual goal is to build a strong program for the U18 Oceania Basketball Tournament in 2018.
In earlier games, Team Guam slipped past Adams 54-43. Isla Quinata paved the way for Guam with 13 points, 10 rebounds and six steals. Teammate Danica Cabrera chipped in 11 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks in the win.
In another game, Team Guam dropped the CEFI Cougars 66-34 behind a 15-point performance by Shania Bulala. Teammates Cabrera and Monica Giger chipped in 13 and nine points, respectively.
Team Guam’s roster is comprised of Shania Bulala, Isla Quinata, Caitlyn Taitano, Therese Fegurgur, Danica Cabrera, Deearah Torre, Jade Torre, Danica Cacayan, Tia Apatang, Monica Giger, Mara Tamayo and Raquel Camacho.
