Fiji announce Men's and Women's pool for Pacific Games
FIJI (FIBA Oceania) - Basketball Fiji announced their training pool for the Men's and Women's basketball teams in the upcoming 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa in July.
Fiji released the list of the 30-women and the 40-men pool training squad in a Facebook post and named Saula Koroi and Laisiasa Puamau as the coaches for the Men's and Women's teams respectively.
Koroi was the Men's coach in the Silver Medal squad in the 2015 Pacific Games, will have Frank Saketa who was the former captain of the national team as his assistant coach.
While Paumau will return for another tour of duty after leading Fiji to the Gold Medal finish in the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea. Dale Wise is named as the assistant coach, a long-time national team member of the Women's squad.
"We intend for both the men's and women's to win the gold medal and qualify to the next FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers," shared Puamau.
Check out the list of the training squad teams below.
Women’s Training Squad
Guards
Valerie Nainima, Eleina McDonald , Seini Samson, Lice Ravai, Estelle Kainamoli, Ella Koroi, Mickaelar Mendez, Tiyana Kainamoli, Mafi Foaikau, Tihana Taito
Forward
Miliakere Koyamainavure, Elenoa Matau, Bitila Tawake, Karaleni Tatukivei, Lynn Nabou, Letava Whippy, Kalasi Tawake, Sera Vugakoto, Donnis Kainamoli, Ruci Senibulu
Centre
Leba Korovou, Vilisi Tavui, Losalini Katia, Berlita Bonny, Moana Liebreght
Men’s Training Squad
Guards
Bryan Ah Jack, Saimoni Rokodereu, Henry Tabuduka, Leonard Whippy, Farrell Maharaj, Collin Lal, Jonathan Uluiviti, William Peter, Timoci Tobia, Marika Binatagi, Filimoni Waqabaca, Isimeli Koroi, Emosi Caniogo, Tui Sikivou, Esala Banuve
Forwards
Marvin Waqa, Jordan Dokanivalu, Collin Watling, Isireli Vuetibau, Ulaisi Koroi, Johnny Seruvatu, Waymann Whippy, Orisi Naivalurua, Marques Whippy, Conrad Fox, Mesa Seruvatu, Josua Qalova, Rusiate Katonilabua, Mosese Maiwiriwiri, Joshua Fox
Centre
Joshua Motufaga, Semesa Wainidroa, Victor Koyamainavure, Mataika Koyamainavure, Digitaki Kacibalavu, William Qounadovu, Inosi Naga, Iliesa Saulaca, Iowane Naivalurua
In FIBA's revamped competition system in 2017, the Pacific Games will serve the official Qualifier for the region in the FIBA Asia Continental Cup Qualifiers.
"The Pacific Games has always been the milestone event for Fiji. With the introduction of the Melanesian Cup and the Games recognized by FIBA as a regional qualifying event, we anticipate the competition to be very competitive in our endeavors towards winning and securing a spot to the FIBA Asia Cup Pre qualifiers," shared Puamau.
FIBA