14/12/2017
Oceania
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Samoa Men and Cook Islands Women crowned Van2017 3x3 Pacific Mini Games Champions

PORT VILA – After four grueling days of competition, we had reached the moment these teams had prepared for; the medal matches.

After a thrilling two-point win in overtime over Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands Men qualified for the Gold medal match to face Samoa after their 17-8 victory over Fiji.

Samoa was feeling very confident going into the Gold medal game having only lost once during the entire event but Solomon Islands were riding the high of their stunning semi-finals victory. Samoa showed their experience controlling the tempo of the game on their way to a 17-8 victory over the spirited Solomon Islands squad.

Don’t believe for one second that the excitement stopped there, after dominant performances against their semi-finals final opponents Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea were ready to battle it out for the Women’s Gold.

The Papua New Guinea Women’s team was filled with players possessing 5 on 5 experience but the Cook Islands boast multiple players with world level 3x3 experience. This turned out to be the difference with the Cook Islands showing their knowledge and talent of the 3x3 game by taking home a 13-7 victory and the Gold medal.

After overcoming defeats in the semi-finals, the Papua New Guinea Men and Vanuatu Women took out the bronze medals. Papua New Guinea defeating Fiji 20-15 and Vanuatu defeating Nauru 17-10.

FIBA