HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - Papua New Guinea battled it out against Fiji in their second game of the 2025 FIBA Melanesian Cup. After a tough and physical first half, with the reigning Pacific Games Champions on top, the PNG boys switched to a solid zone defense and clawed their way back to win the game, 63-56.
Moses Apiko from PNG led the way for PNG’s victory in the second half, scoring the highest number of points (19). Harold Elavo (9 rebounds), Con Muri (4 assists and 4 steals) and Purari Muri (13 points) also gave the crowd memorable performances.
"It was tough," Apiko said. "Going up against Fiji, their one of the best countries to play this game… But the boys got us the win, and our team effort was great."
Fiji held off PNG in the first half, with Joshua Fox under the basket scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds. Tyrone McLennan scored 9 points, while Jordan Willie Alfred Lum Kon paved the way to the basket with 4 assists. Filimone Wacqabaca also turned the tables with 3 steals, and Joshua Motufaga had 2 blocks.
New Caledonia and Solomon Islands also had a tight-scoring game on day two of the tournament. With New Caledonia only just beating the host nation by a few points in the first and third quarter, Solomon Islands kept them at bay and earned tied scores for the second and fourth quarter. In the end, New Caledonia were victorious over Solomon Islands, 58-49.
Joan Delaunay-Belleville and Ludovic Mitrail led the charge for New Caledonia with 14 points each, and Raymond Weber controlled space under the basket with 13 rebounds.
"It was a great game. Good competition. Solomon guys are very tough and very intense, and we knew that, so we came with a good mentality," said Mitrail. "We came at it very aggressively with defence, and that’s how we won the game."
Solomon Islands battled their way through their second game of the tournament, earning cheers of pride from their home crowd. Alex Masaea scored 18 points, with Kalita Maelasi having 13 rebounds and the highest efficiency rate for the host nation.
The FIBA Melanesian Cup continues tomorrow with Vanuatu going up against Fiji at 11:00 AM (local time) and PNG and New Caledonia battling it out at 1:30 PM (local time).
The FIBA Melanesian Cup is being hosted by the Solomon Islands Basketball Federations in Honiara from October 13 to 18. The event is supported by the National Sports Council, with the two teams qualifying for the Pacific Games 2027 in Tahiti. All games are livestreamed via the FIBA YouTube Channel courtesy of TTV Solomons Islands.
FIBA