MAJURO - A crowd estimated at well over 1,000 was on hand to witness the Ralik Ratak Shootout earlier this month in the Marshall Islands' capital of Majuro.

Sitting on top of cars, in the back of pickups, on apartment walkways across the street and lining the court from baseline to baseline was on hand to, the on-lookers took in the 16th edition of the event, which brings together the best basketball talent from around the sprawling chain of volcanic islands sitting between the Philippines and Hawaii that is the Marshall Islands.

With an estimated 28,000 people living in Majuro, almost 20 percent of the island nation's population turned out for the event. Considering the display of last minute tie-breakers and buzzer-beaters, it’s no wonder that they did.

After a hard fought group phase, the table was set for some thrilling finals action.

In the Men’s third place game, Maloelap took on Aelonlaplap in a tigh contest throughout. Tied at 61 all with 5 seconds left to play, an Aelonlaplap player was fouled and went to the line. By sinking one of the two free throws, the win was all but theirs. That is until Maloelap's Junjun Bellu threw up a long range bomb from just inside half court with a second left on the clock. The ball sailed through the air as time expired and found the bottom of the net for a Maloelap win.

The Women's Championship game was next. Aur built a quick lead but Maloelap kept chipping away until they found themselves on top. The lead went back and forth with both teams trading baskets until Aur put their foot down in the final minutes to pull out the 67-53 victory.

After a win on the buzzer and a seesaw game that went down to the wire, the crowd couldn't wait to see what was next as Lae took on Majuro in the Men's Champions game.

With both teams packed with talent, it was no wonder that the score was tied at 80-80 in the closing moments. Lae's Yuzzi Maddison attacked the basket and was fouled with four seconds to go. As the crowd waited with bated breath, Maddison's first free throw rimmed out but the second was good as Lae completed a successful title defence with an 81-80 win.

2016 Ralik Ratak Shootout Men's Champions - Lae

Final Ralik Ratak Shootout results:
Third place men’s game: Maloelap 64-Aelonlaplap 62
Men’s Championship game: Lae 81-Majuro 80
Women’s Championship game: Maloelap 53-Aur 67

FIBA