Apia (Samoa) – American Samoa swept its way through the semi-finals after beating Papua New Guinea, 100-41, at the end of the 2019 Pacific Games women’s basketball Group Phase.

Riding on big wins against other contenders Tahiti (85-61) and Guam (85-76), American Samoa hardly encountered resistance from PNG as it took a 27-11 lead after the first frame.

That rousing start proved to be enough as American Samoa went on to score the biggest victory of this quadrennial basketball tournament in the Pacific thus far to boost its bid for a Gold Medal finish after settling for just a Silver Medal in the 2015 edition.

Six players scored in a scattered American Samoa attack led by Malia Nawahine with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals in just 16 minutes of action.

Makenna Peneueta and Sarah Toeaina added 17 each while Meghan Peneuata, Valerie Nahawine Tanuvasa, and Leah Salanoa contribute 12, 11 and 10 markers, respectively.

Rosa Kairi and Betty Angola, for their part, had 19 and 13 points, respectively for PNG which failed to score a win in three group play matches but will have a classification match-up on Monday.

PNG also previously lost to Guam, 48-84, and Tahiti, 66-70.

Meanwhile, Guam took a crucial 72-63 win over Tahiti in Day 6 to advance to the Quarterfinals of the 2019 Pacific Games women’s basketball event.

Eager to shrug off its painful 76-85 loss to American Samoa the other day, Guam raced to a quick 18-5 lead in the first quarter to set the pace the rest of the way.

Tahiti tried several comeback attempts but Guam did a good job fending off every rally en route to a big win that pushed them to 2-1 slate in Group B and to gaining the all-important ticket to the crossover quarterfinals of this quadrennial sports conclave.

Top gunner Destiny Castro once again led from Guam’s front with a near triple-double of 24 points, 17 rebounds, and eight steals.

Supporting here were Mia San Nicolas and Derin Stinnet with 13 and 11 markers respectively.

Alizee LeFranc spearheaded Tahiti with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and six steals.

Tahiti will take on host Samoa in the Qualifying Finals on Monday.

FIBA