The Ol’Aces’ Antonette Labausa protects the ball as she slices between two Pohnpei defenders during a women’s division match of the 2023 NMI-Pohnpei Goodwill Basketball Games Monday at the Ada gym.
The Ol’Aces’ Cassandra Camacho takes the uncontested shot against Pohnpei during a women’s division match of the 2023 NMI-Pohnpei Goodwill Basketball Games Monday at the Ada gym.
THE Ol’Aces defeated Pohnpei, 56-37, in the women’s division match of the 2023 NMI-Pohnpei Goodwill Basketball Games on Monday at the Ada gym.
Kina Rangamar of the Ol’Aces exploded early in the opening quarter with six points to put her team in the driver’s seat, but Pohnpei equalized with teamwork led by Myra Joakim who delivered five points — including one three-pointer — while Sylvania Seneres-Amor provided the initial bucket as Pohnpei trailed by just one point, 8-9.
In the second period, the Ol’Aces cranked up the defensive dial and overwhelmed Pohnpei with constant pressure.
With each successful stop, the Ol’Aces opened several shot opportunities as Marielle and Mika Lopez, Irish Pagarao, and Sylvina Simram lit up the scoreboard to seize a more comfortable lead, 24-16.
After the halftime break, Pohnpei tried to close the gap with better ball movement and high percentage looks, but they failed to stop the Ol’Aces’ onslaught led by Cassandra Camacho who stepped up with strong finishes underneath the rim, contributing six points to give her team a double-digit lead, 38-25.
The final quarter saw Pohnpei’s strongest performance, scoring more than 10 points, but the Ol’Aces’ Pagarao and Camacho combined for 14 points to pave a smooth road to victory, 56-37.
In the men’s division, Pohnpei dominated the Ol’Aces, 105-79.
