PORT MORESBY (Papua New Guinea) – Recently scooping #3 Most Improved Girls (2021-2023) at the FIBA Awards in Manila, the Samoan women’s contingent are eager to build on their success at the FIBA U17 Oceania Championship.

In 2022, the Samoa U16 Women’s National Team won the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship, Division B, to qualify for Division A at the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asian Championship, a feat that no other federation in Oceania has achieved.  A feat that six-foot forward, Sienna Tutani played a vital role in as she, and her team, now prepare for the FIBA U17 Oceania Championship.

“Representing Samoa, our families and our ancestors, we have everything to play for,” Tutani said ahead of the Championship.  “We have another opportunity to create history and earn a spot at the next Asia Cup Division A, and we won’t take it for granted.”

With a strong individual game, Tutani finished the 2022 FIBA Women’s Asian Championship, Division B, with an average of 10.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and an efficiency of 15.3.  She then backed up that performance with another solid outing at the 2022 Polynesian Women’s Cup where Samoa qualified for the 2023 Pacific Games.  This is just the beginning for this emerging Samoa star as she strives for individual development and team success.

“I’ve been working on improving my offensive game, developing my mid-range and three-point jump shots,” Tutani said.  “I’d like to be more versatile and creative to become a more offensive threat and support the team.”

Sienna Tutani on court at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship, Division B

“We have a lot of exciting players coming through, I’m looking forward to playing with Malia Rudd for the first time, I think she’s a dominant force in the key, on the boards and will surprise a lot of people with her perimeter play.  I’ll also get to play with Zay (Azaleeah) Oloapu, and Kira-May Filemu who are my close friends, and both coming off strong seasons winning state championships and being awarded MVP honours, and All-Star 5 selections.”

Samoa Women’s Head Coach, Lisa Hogben said that the team is preparing well for the FIBA U17 Oceania Championship with young talent embracing the opportunity to represent their country.

 “Over the last 18 months, the Samoa Women’s Basketball Program has worked really hard to build a solid foundation that will continue to evolve,” Hogben said.  “Emerging players in the program include Tereise Reupena, most team assists and Peata Manumaleuga, most team points, who both played crucial roles earlier this year in Jordan at the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship.  Another player to watch will be L’Oreal Hiko who was named in the All-Star 5 at the FIBA U15 Women’s Oceania Championship last year.”

L’Oreal Hiko playing her way to All-Star Five selection at the 2022 FIBA U15 Oceania Championship.

Coach Hogben acknowledges that this championship will be a challenge as the women come up against older and bigger athletes, but she is confident they will ‘hold their own’.

“We have experienced players like Sienna (Tuani), Kira-May (Filemu) and Azaleeah (Oloapu) who will continue to lead our team fearlessly, combine that with our up-and-coming athletes, such as Jadyn Craig and Isara Paramore, I believe we are a well-rounded, talented team that will compete strongly at the championship.”

The 2023 FIBA U17 Oceania Championships will be hosted by the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby at Sir John Guise Stadium from October 2 to 7.  The Championships serve as the first step in the qualification process to the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup.  The top two placed teams at the 2023 FIBA U17 Oceania Championships qualify to the 2024 FIBA U18 Asian Championships.

FIBA