THE NMI Women’s Basketball Team received the silver medal in the FIBA Micronesian Basketball Cup 2022 on Saturday in Mangilao, Guam.
The NMI Women faced tournament favorite Guam in the finals, and lost 37-70. Guam also dominated the NMI in the preliminary round, 94-46.
“We learned a lot from our first loss to Guam,” NMI Coach Catherine Attao-Toves said. “We adjusted our defense and pressed a bit. Most importantly, we got more comfortable in playing our style, our pace and got everybody to contribute.”
The NMI outscored Palau 74-53 and was merciless against the FSM, 110-28. But to win the gold they had to defeat Guam which, in this tournament, was simply unbeatable.
Guam crushed the FSM, 125-13, and dismantled Palau, 89-36.
Against the NMI in their gold-medal match, Guam came out with all guns blazing, quickly seizing the lead which continued to grow as Mia San Nicolas and Elysia Perez exhibited their dominance on offense while holding the NMI to a single-digit output in the second and third quarters.
The NMI managed to get out of the gutter in the final quarter as sisters Ky’Sonna and E’Anna Won found their rhythm with the support of Michelle Kautz and Madeleine Alegre for their biggest offensive run of the night.
However, Guam had an answer for every shot the NMI made, and soon it was all over but the shouting. Guam won, 70-37.
“I am very proud of this team,” NMI Coach Catherine Attao-Toves said. “This team showed great resiliency and tenacity to go to the 2022 FIBA Micro Cup, represent the NMI, and to be the very best that they are.”
She said the team went through many challenges this year — leadership transition, uncertainty with player commitment and facilities, among other issues.
“But every single player played a key role and made contributions to the overall success of this tournament. I applaud these ladies for not only being a competitor but a contender for the gold. It was an honor to be their coach and to be a part of this journey,” Attao-Toves said.
NMI Women’s Ky’Sonna Won sets up the play against Palau during a FIBA Micronesian Basketball Cup game on Guam.
