APIA - The schedule for the 2018 FIBA Polynesian Basketball Cup was released today. Samoa will host the event on November 19-24.

The Polynesia Cup will serve as the qualifiers for the 2019 Pacific Games; with the top two teams joining host Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, New Caledonia (Melanesia) and Guam (Micronesia). The top two teams of the Pacific Games next year will qualify for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Pre-Qualifiers.

"This event is vitally important. It is another opportunity where we can bring the national teams of Oceania nations together to play in a meaningful competition. The chance to be crowned the Polynesia Cup champions doesn’t come along every year," shared FIBA Oceania Competitions Manager, Amanda Jenkins.

"Only one team will get to hold up that trophy! It is also the qualifier for this sub-zone to earn the right to compete at the Pacific Games in 2019 and we know how much history the Pacific Games holds for nations," she added.

The final rosters of the tournament, which will feature American Samoa, Cook Islands, Tahiti, Samoa, and Tonga will be revealed on the day before the official competition.

The 5-country tournament which includes the Men's and Women's competition will run for six days.

"We want teams playing as many games as possible, however, we are also conscious of the length of the event. This format where everyone plays each other once is the fairest format, whilst also giving every team the chance to play a number of quality games," Jenkins explained regarding the format of the tournament.

"Teams will play each other once, and then the finals will be based on ladder position," she added.

Jenkins is confident with Samoa's capabilities as host and cited that the island nation will also host the prestigious 2019 Pacific Games next year.

"Samoa is in a unique position – they are preparing to host the biggest sporting event in Oceania in July next year – and part of that is to host test events in order to upskill volunteers, technical officials and test out venues and equipment. The GOC (Games Organising Committee) have been very supportive of the Polynesia Cup Organising Committee," she shared.

Jenkins stated the advantage of hosting an event can give to the home team while also sharing that the competitions will also be broadcasted via live stream on FIBA's YouTube channel.

"Samoa hasn’t hosted a FIBA event in a number of years, so it is good to be bringing international competition back to Apia. And I am sure the home team will be eager to put on a good show," she said.

"We will also show the games LIVE via FIBA's YouTube channel," she added.

FIBA