HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - Tahiti have triumphed at the 2023 Pacific Games 3x3 competition, winning gold against Fiji, 11-7.

In a low scoring affair, Hauhere Ching-Bellais was instrument in her team’s win putting up seven of their 11 points, which included three two-pointers. 

Hauhere Ching-Bellais going to work in the gold medal match.

Backing up from the 5x5 competition, Moïna Tuieinui Le Beherec was solid defensively, keeping Fiji’s shooters at bay late in the game.

“The game was really good but really tough against Fiji, and for the first we made some changes that enabled us to score more,” Tuieinui Le Beherec said.

“Both teams were very tired, and we were just pleased to win gold.”

Moïna Tuieinui Le Beherec in action.

Nursing an injured shoulder, Tuieinui Le Beherec credited the win to the teams physiotherapists for keeping her on the court, but for now, she is looking forward to some time off the court.

“When we go back, I’ll be having some time off to recovery, to heal my sprained shoulder, but we will be back in 2024, and getting ready for the Pacific Games in Tahiti 2027,” she said.

After finishing with bronze at the 2019 Pacific Games 3x3 competition, Tahiti will proudly add this gold medal to the cabinet, alongside their 5x5 gold medal from the previous week at the 2023 Pacific Games.

Fiji won gold in 2019, but had to settled for silver in Honiara.  The were defeated by the Cook Islands in the pool matches to finish second, but overcame New Caledonia in the semi finals to progress to the medal match.

Cook Islands took care of business earlier in the day to win bronze over New Caledonia, 21-12.  Having gone through the group stage undefeated, Tahiti knocked them out in the semi-finals, and the Kukis were out to secure a spot on the podium.

For competition results, and standings, CLICK HERE.

The Pacific Games was hosted by the Solomon Islands from November 19 - December 2, 2023.  This was the second time 3x3 has been included in the Games.