PAPEETE (Tahiti) - The FIBA Polynesian Cup 2026 tipped off in Toahotu with Tonga claiming an entertaining 71-67 victory over Samoa in a tightly contested opener, while hosts Tahiti also started their campaign with a win against American Samoa.
In a game that featured nine lead changes and seven ties, Tonga and Samoa traded momentum throughout, with neither side able to establish control for long. Tonga led 16-13 after the opening quarter before Samoa responded in the second to send the teams into half-time locked at 36-36.
Samoa emerged from the break to take a 53-50 advantage into the final quarter, setting up a tense finish. Tonga responded when it mattered most, outscoring Samoa 21-14 in the fourth period to secure the 71-67 win.
For Tonga’s Luke Sinisa, the victory was as much about the team’s resilience and togetherness as getting their campaign off to a winning start.
“The first thing is just the heat, the environment, getting used to that as a team, especially [because] we haven’t really trained much together,” Sinisa said.
The thing I was proud of was just finding a way to stay in it, keep talking to each other the whole time. We stuck together. We didn’t fall apart.
Having been part of Tonga’s Pacific Games campaign in 2023, Sinisa said staying connected throughout the week would be important as the team continues to build its combinations.
“Just staying close to my team, treating it like a family that we are," he said. "I think if we stay together off the court, it makes it so much easier on the court.”
And despite beginning the tournament with a win, Sinisa could see at least one area where Tonga could improve. “Maybe making some free throws would be great,” he joked. “But honestly, staying together, like I said, that’s going to be the theme for the week for us.”
Hosts Tahiti ensured the home fans also had plenty to celebrate on opening day, recording a win over American Samoa in the second game, 94-47.
The men from Tahiti quickly found there rhythm, scoring 20 points in the opening quarter while limiting American Samoa to nine. The hosts continued to apply the pressure in the second period, adding another 25 points to establish a 45-19 half-time advantage.
Tahiti made the most of their opportunities close to the basket, converting over 70 percent of their two-point attempts in the opening half as they steadily built their advantage. At the other end, American Samoa struggled to find the same rhythm, shooting less than 20 percent from the field before half-time.
From there, Tahiti maintained its advantage through the second half to complete a winning start on home soil.
Men's teams from the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tahiti (host) have already qualified for the Pacific Games 2027, with the top two placed teams at the FIBA Polynesian Cup 2026 to also secure their spot.
The 2026 editions of the FIBA Polynesian Cup and FIBA Women's Polynesian Cup has tipped off in Toahotu and will conclude with finals games on October 24.