APIA (Samoa) - Lana Quinata is a rising star for Guam women's basketball. At just 13 years old, Lana represented Guam at the 2022 FIBA U15 Oceania Cup, marking the beginning of a chain of tournaments where she would stand out on the court and leave a lasting impression.
During her first FIBA competition, Lana scored an impressive 14 points against PNG and the Northern Marina Islands, demonstrating her talent right from the start.
2024 then turned out to be a big year for Quinata. She made her debut with the senior women's squad at the Micro Games in Majuro (originally scheduled for 2023) at just 14 years old.
I try and play against the women… because I feel like if you play up, you're definitely gonna grow more as a player.
It was no surprise then when she played in the 2024 FIBA U15 Oceania Cup, where she averaged 16 points per game.
Now, here at the 2025 FIBA U17 Oceania Cup in Samoa, Lana is continuing to impress. After scoring a whopping 26 points in her first game against Fiji, she has set the bar high and is ready to keep pushing for Guam to finish among the top three.
"She really took control of being that leader, being the older one with the experience," said Elysia Perez, Guam Women’s Assistant Coach.
"She did really well with stepping up her leadership skills and helping the other girls understand what these tournaments are like."
Lana's development since her first FIBA appearance has been more than just technical. She has become a natural leader for her peers, guiding them through this tournament with skill and passion for the game.
"I really do enjoy watching Lana play basketball. She's one player that I like to see get better, I like to see her improve and dominate on the court," said Coach Perez.
Lana isn't the only natural player in her family. Her older brother, Matthew, is playing in the Guam Men's team at the event. The Quinata siblings have become an integral part of Guam's youth basketball, as well as Lana's skills development.
"I play almost every day," Lana said. "I play a lot against my brothers. They're bigger, taller, faster. I've learned a lot by playing against them."
By playing against her older brothers and in the women's league, Lana has gained invaluable experience that she now brings to Samoa.
"I try and play against the women… just to get better and challenge more, because I feel like if you play up, you're definitely gonna grow more as a player," Lana said.
"They're all very mesmerising to me, and I try to implement stuff from their game to my own game," she quoted, mentioning Michael Jordan and Irving.
Lana is a prime example of how far basketball development has come in Guam. Through strategies such as FIBA PLUS and year-round training programs like Guam Select, Guam has become a powerful basketball nation.
"When I was younger, we didn't have really any outside opportunities besides the national team," said Coach Perez. "Nowadays, the younger kids are getting opportunities to play in tournaments like in Japan, the Philippines, and Korea. These tournaments really help with their exposure, not just on Guam basketball, but also to Asian basketball."
From backyard battles against her brothers to the bright lights of the FIBA U17 Oceania Cup, Lana's journey reflects the heart of Guam basketball: family, community, and commitment. Surrounded by mentors, teammates, and a growing generation of talent, she is stepping into her role with confidence and pride. And as she continues to lead the way for Guam in Samoa, one thing is clear - Lana Quinata is only getting started.
The FIBA U17 Oceania Cup and FIBA U17 Women’s Oceania Cup is being hosted by the Samoa National Basketball Association in Apia from December 8 to 13. The event is supported by the Government of Samoa under the Ministry of Sport and Recreation, with the two teams qualifying for the FIBA U18 Asia Cup and FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2026.
All games are livestreamed via the FIBA YouTube Channel in collaboration with BluWave Media.
FIBA