PAPUA NEW GUINEA (FIBA Women's Melanesia Basketball Cup 2017) - Solomon Islands were a bit of a wild card coming into the first ever FIBA Women's Melanesia Basketball Cup 2017. They gave New Caledonia a shock with a 6-point Day 1 win; Joycelyn Besia was a big part of this win with 12 points.

Day 2's test was a bit much coming up against the 2015 Pacific Games Gold Medalists Fiji. After a Day 1 lost to Papua New Guinea, Fiji was out for redemption and proved too much for the Solomon Islands. Despite this loss, Besia stared again adding another team-high 18 points.

FIBA.basketball caught up with Besia after the game.

"Our team has improved each game, I'm one of the older players so I'm happy with the performance of the team," said Besia. "We have a lot of young players and they have improved from each training to now. We are small but we have a lot of energy and desire."

Besia expressed her excitement for a potential spot in the 2019 Pacific Games. 

"I'm excited and happy if we make it. This will be another good opportunity for the Solomon Islands."

Solomon Islands will face an undefeated Papua New Guinea in their next matchup. If they can get the win or New Caledonia fail to beat Fiji then Besia's goal of making the Pacific Games will become a reality.

Besia doesn't want to rely on another team losing and believes they can get the win over the host nation.

"They are a good team, they have a test facility, if we play like we did yesterday then it will be a tough and good game. Our coaches have done a great job with us and I would like to thank them and we are all going to do the best we can to win."

FIBA