PAPEETE (Tahiti) - Samoa has opened its FIBA Women’s Polynesian Cup 2026 campaign with an 81-64 victory over Cook Islands in Toahotu, making an immediate impression on the opening day of the women's competition.
For Samoa, the opening victory provided an encouraging first test for a squad that has come together from different parts of the world, with Malama Leaupepe proud of how quickly the group has begun to connect.
I think it was a great first game for us being so young and not being too familiar with one another. We all come from different parts of the world, and I’m really proud with what we were able to put together in such a short amount of time.
Leaupepe played an influential role in Samoa’s performance, helping control the game while guiding a team still developing combinations early in the competition. Leaupepe said Samoa’s starting five set the tone from the outset, with the early chemistry developing across the group a particularly encouraging sign.
“I think we’re going to use this momentum going forward into the games," she said. "But a big shout out to Q (Qaizden Finau-Stephano) and Peata (Manumaleuga). I felt like we created some really good chemistry from the start.”
That early understanding is particularly encouraging given the limited preparation time Samoa has had together.
For Leaupepe, however, arriving ready to perform has been helped by playing and training year-round overseas. She credited the coaches, teammates and basketball communities around her for helping her maintain her game between international appearances for Samoa.
“I play overseas, so I stay sharp year round,” she said. “Shout out to my coaches and staff all over the world, from Spain to America, and also just to former teammates as well, keeping me in shape and giving me access to gyms.”
For a squad still learning how to play alongside one another, she believes maintaining the togetherness established in their opening game will be crucial.
“I think just playing together, keeping that unity between us all,” Leaupepe said. “We just know in the end, we’re going in together and we’re coming out together. We win as a team, we lose as a team. So keeping that unity between us is what we’re going to keep close to us.”
Samoa will next face host nation Tahiti as the group phase continues in Toahotu.
Women's teams from the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Papua New Guinea, and Tahiti (host) have already qualified for the Pacific Games 2027, with the top two placed teams at the FIBA Women's Polynesian Cup 2026 to also secure their spot.
The 2026 editions of the FIBA Polynesian Cup and FIBA Women's Polynesian Cup have tipped off in Toahotu, concluding with medal matches on Saturday October 24.