Palau upsets Guam to win

women's basketball gold

By Giff Johnson

Koror, Palau - An inspired Palau women’s basket ball team, with more than 1,000 fans cheering them on, used a devastating fast break and good shot selection to take the gold medal from a taller Guam team at the Micronesian Games on the last day of play in the nine day tour nament in Koror.

After holding a slim 39- 33 half time lead, Palau routed Guam 88-69.

Palau’s victory was the first time a Palau team has defeated Guam in

basketball in Micro Games play. But it was the play of 17 year old Stephanie Ngirchoimei - who passed behind her back to set up open shots for her teammates, drove the length of the court for layups, popped 20 foot jump shots and made clutch free throws in the final minutes to seal the win - who led Palau to victory.

Ngirchoimei (pronounced Near-oy-may) scored 25 points, and most importantly controlled the ball to help her team fend off a second half comeback by Guam.

Despite playing most of the second half with four fouls, Ngirchoimei didnrtt let up and neither did her teammates Saime Ngirausui and Jubilee Kuartei who each scored 17 points. Guam was led by Michelle Sison with 17 and Theresa Sison who scored 12.

Ngirchoimei, who just two months ago graduated from Palau High School and also played on the Palau volleyball team that took the silver medal behind Guam, was nothing less than spectacular in the gold medal game. The hometown crowd cheered and stomped the bleachers caus ing a deafening din each time Ngirchoimei set up her teammates for easy open shots with her patented behind-the-back and no look passing. sM