HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - Palau have created history, defeating Micronesian neighbours, Guam, at the 2023 Pacific Games 3x3 Competition.

After going down to Tonga earlier in the day, 15-21, the men from Palau bounced back in extraordinary fashion to defeat the 2019 Pacific Games 3x3 Gold Medallists, Guam, 21-17.

“It was good feeling to win against Guam, they are the defending champions, it’s our first time competing at the Pacific Games 3x3, it felt great to get our first win, and hopefully we can keep the momentum up,” Palau’s Wallace Worswick said.

Up against the physically taller side, the Honiara crowd got behind the undersized Palau team as they held on for the win.  “Back home we practised against taller people, so it was nothing new to us, we have played against them before at the Micro Games, we just have to keep playing hard and be strong,” Worswick said.

Silver medallists from 2019, Fiji started their 3x3 campaign with two hard fought wins against Tahiti, 16-12, and Tonga 16-15. New Caledonia, and Papua New Guinea also started the tournament two-from-two.

For competition schedule, results, and standings, CLICK HERE

The Pacific Games are being hosted by the Solomon Islands from November 19 - December 2, 2023.  This is the second time 3x3 has been included in the Games.