Team Guam trounces Hong Kong 112-66, moves on to final qualifier- June 15, 2021
POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
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Tai Wesley
A day after making history with a convincing 20-point victory over Hong Kong, Guam's men's national basketball team has done it again at the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers in Amman, Jordan. This time, they beat Hong Kong 112-66 - a 46-point margin - and have guaranteed a third-place finish in Pool C, which besides Hong Kong and Guam also includes Australia and New Zealand. There were six pools of four teams each from Asia and Oceania. The top two from each pool automatically qualify to play in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup. The six third-place finishers then play in a final qualifying tournament with the top four from that group joining the 12 already qualified for the 16-team 2021 FIBA Asia Cup. In the second game against Hong Kong, Guam's Curtis Washington won the jump ball, and everything after that too. Daren Hechanova (190-G-93, college: Peninsula JC) dished an assist to Joe Blas for the first points of the game, and it was off to the races. Guam went on a 23-5 run before a Hong Kong trey broke a drought that lasted almost four minutes. Guam coach E.J. Calvo started substitutions with 3 minutes left in the first quarter and Guam continued to dominate behind its big men. Tai Wesley (201-F-86, college: Utah St.) had 18 points and 15 rebounds in 27 minutes, Jericho Cruz (182-G-90) had 20 points and the 6-foot-10 Washington had 16 points, a steal and a 3-point jump shot. Everyone on the roster scored at least two points. Daren Hechanova had seven assists and Matthew Fegurgur (208-PF-01) had three blocked shots. "Mission accomplished. We made adjustments on defense and came together for an excellent game. Awesome contributions from our entire roster," said Calvo. "We will now be preparing for what comes next." What comes next goes down starting Aug. 12, when Guam will face the five other 3rd place finishers in the final tournament. If Guam finishes in the top four, it will make the 16-team FIBA Asia Cup Tournament. |
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