SUVA (Fiji) – The Solomon Islands Men are approaching the FIBA Melanesian Cup 2022 with youthful exuberance accompanied with a sprinkle of seasoned campaigners.

With the Pacific Games on the horizon, the Solomon Islands are building towards this event as they host prepare to host the 2023 edition of the event in Honiara.

Solomon Islands Basketball Federation (SIBF) President Augustine Basia said; “The team is at its rebuilding and development phase, and this is a direction towards the 2023 Pacific Games, the FIBA Melanesian Cup is a valuable step in this process.”

Despite a poor performance at the FIBA Melanesian Cup in 2017, the men's side have learnt from the experience and remain optimistic for the tournament which tips off on Wednesday October 26.

Leading the young side is senior player, Alex Masaea, who led the team with efficiency in 2017, said the team are looking forward to the challenge.  "Our preparations have been good and since there's a lot of young players, we have been developing and rebuilding as a team."

"We are not only competing for the FIBA Melanesian Cup but are optimistic for the future and also setting the foundations for the Pacific Games 2023.”

The top two teams at the FIBA Melanesian Cup will qualify for the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.  The Pacific Games then serves as the official qualifier for the Oceania region to the FIBA Asia Cup Pre-Qualifiers.

FIBA - Loata Waqanivavalagi