Overview:
**Team Palau Men is headed to Tahiti.** Palau’s men’s national volleyball team secured qualification for the 2027 Pacific Games after competing in the Oceania Zonal Volleyball Championship in Guam, while the women’s team showed promise and two Palau referees earned certification.
Palau’s men’s national volleyball team has secured a place at the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti after competing in the Oceania Zonal Volleyball Championship in Guam.
The qualification marks a significant achievement for the Palau Volleyball Federation and the athletes who spent nearly a year preparing for the regional competition while balancing work, school, family responsibilities and national team commitments.
The championship served as a qualifying event for the Tahiti 2027 Pacific Games, giving teams across the region an opportunity to earn a spot at the next Pacific Games.
Men earn Pacific Games berth
Team Palau Men opened the tournament against New Caledonia but dropped its first match. The team bounced back with a four-set victory over American Samoa before falling to host Guam in three sets.
The loss to Guam ended Palau’s chance to advance to the semifinals, but the team still achieved its main objective.
Based on Palau’s standing among the top two teams from the Micronesian region, the men secured qualification for the Pacific Games Tahiti 2027.
The qualification is another step forward for Palau volleyball and reflects the commitment of the athletes, coaches, officials, families and supporters who backed the national program throughout its preparation.
Women show continued progress
The Palau women’s national team also opened its campaign strongly, defeating the Marshall Islands before adding another win against the Cook Islands.
The women then faced host Guam and lost in three sets. The result left the pool in a three-way tie, with Palau finishing third under the tournament’s ranking and tiebreaking procedures.
The third-place finish prevented the women from advancing to the semifinals and meant they did not qualify for Tahiti 2027.
Although the result fell short of the team’s goal, the Palau Volleyball Federation said the performance showed the continued development of women’s volleyball in Palau.
The experience also provides a foundation for the women’s program to build on as it prepares for future regional and international competitions.
Referees earn certification
The tournament also produced an important achievement off the court, with Palau volleyball officials Marvin Bitloal Wasisang and Khol Sugiyama Laguana successfully completing referee certification in Guam.
The Palau Volleyball Federation said the certification places the two among the highest-level certified volleyball referees currently serving in Palau.
Their achievement strengthens Palau’s pool of qualified technical officials and supports the federation’s broader effort to develop coaches, referees, administrators and other personnel needed to sustain the national volleyball program.
The federation said building technical expertise is an important part of growing volleyball in Palau and preparing its officials to participate in higher-level regional competitions.
Community support behind Team Palau
The Palau Volleyball Federation credited the Palau National Olympic Committee, the Republic of Palau Government, sponsors, families and supporters for helping the national teams compete in Guam.
The federation specifically thanked Surangel & Sons Company, Miso Hungry and Sen. Rukebai Kikuo Inabo for their support, along with individuals and organizations that contributed to the teams’ preparation and travel.
The federation also recognized the Palauan community in Guam, including the Palauan Community Association of Guam, Ngchesar Association of Guam, Kayangel Association of Guam, Airai Association of Guam and Bem Yore, for providing hospitality and assistance to the teams.
Other community members contributed meals, refreshments, drinks, transportation, time and other forms of support during the teams’ stay.
Road to Tahiti begins
With the Oceania Zonal Championship completed, the focus now shifts to the next stage.
For the women, the tournament offers lessons to strengthen the program ahead of its next regional opportunity. For the men, qualification opens the road to Tahiti and a bigger challenge on the Pacific Games stage.
The Palau Volleyball Federation congratulated all the athletes who represented Palau and wore the national jersey with pride, while thanking the coaches, officials, families, sponsors, partners and Palauan communities at home and abroad.
For Team Palau Men, the next goal is clear: prepare for Tahiti 2027.