Melekeok got out to a handy lead in the 1st quarter over arch rivals Koror.  The large and partisan Koror crowd made sure their team knew they were there to support.  Another strong 2nd quarter saw Melekeok ahead by 15 points at the half, but no-one was writing Koror off just yet.  And just as well, as they had a big 3rd quarter outscoring their opposition by 26-13.  So with a 2 point lead to Melekeok, the scene was set for a great last quarter.  And neither team disappointed.  The intensity was high, the physical clashes hard and the score simply changed back and forward.  With just 3 minutes left Koror got a 4 point lead and looked to be sailing to victory, but Melekeok rallied behind some great play by guard Chris Chiba and tall forward Una Rikrik to tie the score with just 2.3 seconds remaining.  With two free throws awarded, Chris Chiba went to the line to sink the first.  Although missing the second, Melekeok controlled the rebound to save the game. 

 

In other games yesterday, Koror and Ngchesar women played hard and close all game to give their coaches “heart murmurs’, before Koror clinched the win by 42-41.  Kiruu Kuartei was game high scorer with 15 points.

 

In the other women’s game Peleliu and Ngaremlengui played a close encounter also.  Ngaremlengui led for much of the game but Peleliu on the back of some missed opportunities by Ngaremlengui during the 4th quarter, drew away to win 68-58.

 

Ngaremlengui men were far too strong for Ngarchelong in their clash and ran out easy winners 86-54.  In the other men’s game, Aimeliik on the back of a very strong 2nd quarter managed to beat Anguar by 79-60.

 

The scene is now set for some interesting semi-final match-ups if the fancied teams win today.  Tipsters have Peleliu meeting Ngaremlengui and Koror and Melekeok meeting again in the semis tomorrow.  The semi-finals should be explosive!

 

Today’s games:

 

9.00am            Men                Sonsorol         vs         Anguar            (for a place in the quarter finals)

 

11.00am          Women           Ngchesar        vs         Ngaremlengui (last round game)

 

1.00pm            Men                Peleliu             vs         Ngarchelong    (quarter final)

 

3.00pm            Men                Ngaremlengui vs        Ngchesar        (quarter final)

 

5.00pm            Men                Aimeliik          vs         Koror              (quarter final)

 

7.00pm            Men                Melekeok       vs         winner 9.00am(quarter final)