In a thriller, Kaben Meto came from behind in the final seconds of Thursday September 30's semi-final game to nip Kwajalein 72-71 to advance to the championship game Friday. Kwajalein led for nearly the entire game until the final two minutes of play in the fourth quarter, when Pool A winner Kaben Meto took a one point lead. From there, the lead changed hands as each side made key shots. An offensive foul in the final seconds ended Kwajalein's bid for an upset of the 2009 defending champion.

In the other semi-final game, Mili rolled to victory over Majuro, winning 88-75, in the the Bank of Marshall Islands 11th Ralik Ratak Shootout Invitational Basketball Tournament 2010. Mili, which took third place in the 2009 tournament after losing to Kwajalein, advances to play Kaben Meto for the championship Friday, October 1. Kwajalein and Majuro will battle for third place on Friday. 

Local business Medi-Source Pacific offered a $100 cash prize to members of the audience who could score a basket by shooting mid-way between the three-point line and the half court line. The contest started with the women's third place game and continued through the two men's semi-final games at halftime, with six people trying but no one making a goal. Sandy Alfred, CEO of Medi-Source Pacific, is offering $300 to an audience member who makes the shot during halftime of the championship game Friday, October 1, 2010.

Meanwhile, the National Telecommunications Authority, which has provided tournament organizers with cell phone cards to give away for audience free throw contests each day of the tournament, has provided two new cell phones for prizes for the final two nights of the tournament. On Thursday night, September 30, four boys chosen at random from the audience competed in a three point contest for the cell phone. Jerus Komen won the contest, pocketing a new NTA-provided cell phone for his shooting effort.

Photo: Team Mili celebrates its victory.

Photo: Suzanne Chutaro.