HAGATNA (Guam) - Guam Basketball successfully launched the Hagåtña City 3x3 Summer Showdown held at the Paseo outdoor court as the first 3x3 competition after a long restriction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The competition featured 23 teams, 92 players with various divisions including U15, U17, Open Men's, Highschool Women's, and Open Women's divisions.

"We worked with local businesses like Clutch Guam, Crowns, and Monster energy to make this huge success of a tournament to happen," shared Guam Basketball Confederation 3x3 Director, Seve Susuico.

"The basketball community of Guam has been waiting for restrictions to be lifted so we could start playing together again," he added.

Susuico, who was part of the Gold Medal winning 3x3 team in the 2019 Pacific Games, shared that the country is starting to adapt quickly to the rules of the discipline.

"Everyone involved, the score table officials, referees, players, and the community are getting better and better at adjusting to the 3x3 format," he shared.

"Guam's players have always had strength and heart on their side, not so much height, but the 3x3 format allows for shorter players to excel at the sport without being tall," he added.

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The competition allowed the youth players in Guam to show their talent that has attracted the Federation in scouting players for their 3x3 program.

"There were a lot of youth players that were able to showcase the game they have been working on in this Covid training break. It allowed for them to express themselves through individual expression through the 3x3 format," Susuico said.

With the competition's success, GBC is already in the process of organizing more 3x3 tournaments in the country.

"We are already in talks with other basketball clubs on Guam about having a 3x3 tournament. The future looks bright for Guam, and we look forward to giving players all the opportunities they deserve for their hard work and determination," Susuico shared.

FIBA