SEREMBAN (Malaysia) - Tonga secured a seventh-place finish in Division B of the FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup 2025 after downing Samoa, 67-60, in the Final Phase opener Wednesday at the Karisma Arena.
Ruby Cutbush struck the dagger from beyond the arc for the 65-58 lead with 1:36 remaining and that ultimately enabled the crew to repel their hard-fighting foes once and for all - and end their campaign on a high.
In their very first stint in the biennial youth competition, the Tongans concluded as much with back-to-back wins while sending their counterparts home empty-handed as they dropped all of their four assignments.
Cutbush led Team Tonga with 17 points, spiked by a 5-of-8 clip from beyond the arc.
Vahanoa Wolfgramm delivered 14 points and 6 rebounds off the bench, while Huni Folau produced 12 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 8 steals as the two were also crucial in putting the game out of reach.
Tonga held a slim one-point lead approaching the last three minutes but Wolfgramm scored from close range before Folau split her shots from the free throw line to make it a 62-58 gap with 2:06 to spare.
And then came Cutbush's all-important trifecta from the wing, sparking a celebration of sorts over at the team's bench as that shot took the wind out of Team Samoa's sails as they went on to take the victory.
Samoa were led by Marley Sialeipata with 18 points and 8 rebounds in the stinging defeat. Levani Muliaumasealii supplied 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Adelaide Filemu made 11 points and 6 rebounds.
Jalyn Newton Taito made 10 points, including the three that gave themselves the 46-43 lead late in the third quarter which they could not sustain, ultimately losing steam entering the home stretch.
FIBA