APIA, Samoa (Polynesian Cup 2018) - Tahiti bucked off a slow start to take a 72-43 over the Cook Islands to maintain their clean slate at 3-0.

Team captain Arii Meuel produced another high-scoring effort with 36 points while shooting a blistering 64 percent from the field.

"I have been scoring a lot but honestly I don't care if I score 40, 50 or five points as long as we win," said Meuel.

"If it means passing the ball more, defending or rebounding I will try to do what I can to help the team," he added.

Reihiti Sommers provided an all-around effort with nine points, 10 rebounds, and six assists to backstop Meuel's scoring exploits.

"This was a very difficult game for us especially the start, because they controlled the rhythm early in the game
they slowed the pace and we got caught in it," said Meuel.

"But we adjusted quickly and got back to our high tempo pace. The strength of this team is our chemistry we are all friends and know each other a long time already," he added.

Meanwhile, Samoa finished their group phase campaign on a thunderous note with a 132-100 rout of Tonga to record their third straight win and close out the group phase with a 3-1 record.

Theodore McFarland had a monster effort registering 30 points, 14 boards, six assists, and four blocks.

Six players scored in double figures for the host team with Sapeti Tufuga, Wayne Sio and Ryan Paia chipping in 22, 18 and 17 points respectively.

Samoa dominated the boards over the undermanned Tonga squad, 64-37.

Marcus Alipate recorded a tournament-high 48 points to pace the Tongans while Obadaiah Paea and Siale Bain-Vete added 28 and 19 points in the losing effort.

Tomorrow's games will pit Tahiti (3-0) against American (2-1) while Tonga (0-3) will duel with the Cook Islands (0-3) in a win or go home game.