KOROR (Palau) - Fiji dominated the competition at Stop 4 of the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League – Oceania, Conference 1. Both the women’s and the men’s competition saw heightened levels of energy and physicality out of the break, which played to the strength of the powerhouse teams.
Women’s Conference 1: Dominant Victories
PNG v. PLW: Papua New Guinea took an early 10-1 lead over Palau in the first match-up of the day, with quick drives for one-pointers and three early two-points. Palau tried to fight back with two-point shooting of their own, but Papua New Guinea kept on the pressure, defeating the home team 21-6 with over three minutes remaining on the clock.
FIJ v. MHL: Fiji continued their dominance coming out of the rest day, using an impressive combination of strength and passing ability to dismantle the Marshall Islands team 21-7.
VAN v. PLW: Vanuatu came out strong against Palau in their first game of the day. They took a 14-2 lead in just over five minutes, which they converted into a convincing 22-5 win, leaving plenty of time to spare.
PNG v. VAN: Asserting dominance over their Melanesian counterparts, Papua New Guinea flew out of the blocks and didn’t look back. Vanuatu sharp-shooter Christina Kasten tried to insert herself in the game, but the might of Papua New Guinea prevailed 16-7, Alice Kaiawa prolific once again.
VAN v. MHL: Surprising everyone, Vanuatu came out with a nothing-but-net mentality to throw up 11 points in the first four minutes, all while keeping Marshall Islands to just two points. The Marshall Islands tried to claw their way back, but Vanuatu made it two from two in pool play at Stop 4, defeating their opponents 21-10.
FINAL
PNG v FIJ: Meeting for the fourth time at a stop final, the Papua New Guinea women were keen to even up the ledger with Fiji, the Fijians having won two of their three previous final meetings. Papua New Guinea captain Jackie Asiba once again led from the front both defensively and offensively, while Estelle Kainamoli from Fiji went to work attacking the rim with the ever-present support of Moana Liebregts around the arc, and pretty much wherever else her team needed her. The Fijians chemistry once again proved too much for Papua New Guinea, Fiji picking up another stop win 17-8. The women’s Conference 1 standings remain the same after Stop 4, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu the top three.
Men’s Conference 1: High Energy Out of the Break
PNG v. VAN: Papua New Guinea picked up a small lead over Vanuatu early, but Vanuatu kept themselves in the game with demoralising defensive plays and well-timed perimeter shooting. Papua New Guinea was not shaken however and came out of a time out with some hot shooting to close out the game 22-14 with 3 minutes still to play.
FIJ v. MHL: The Marshall Islands put up a strong fight against Fiji, displaying impressive technical skills and hunger for the win. Unfortunately for the Marshall Islands fans, the size and athleticism of the Fiji players proved too much for the challengers, Fiji finalising the game 21-16 with 1:23 to spare.
GUM v. VAN: Both teams came out firing in the game between Guam and Vanuatu, both teams making three baskets each within the first 60 seconds. The pace did not slow down all game, with both teams letting shots fly at every opportunity. Guam ended up winning the shoot-out, opening an eight-point lead in the first half of the game and holding it until the end, winning 21-13.
PLW v MHL: Coming off two consecutive Stop Final wins the host nation Palau were up-and-about early. The men from the Marshall Islands were right there with them, proving why these two nations are sitting in the top three of their conference. It was fast, clean, and accurate. The game went down to the wire, but it was the Marshall Islands defeating the previous champs, running out three-point winners, 21-18.
PNG v. GUM: Papua New Guinea flew out of the blocks on a mission with Morea Elavo leading his troops on a shooting spree. With the team aiming for another stop final, their aggressive drives kept Guam on the back foot to maintain a healthy lead. Guam’s David-Jay Camacho Osbornran hit a strong lay-up late in the game to inspire his team, but it wasn’t enough, Papua New Guinea running out winners 21-17, their athleticism under the basket impressive to watch.
FIJ v. PLW: This match-up has happened a few times now and has never disappointed. The intensity and crowd support were at 100, however, it was the men from Fiji who took out an early lead, another inspired scoring performance from Keenan Hughes. Fiji matched the pace of the home nation, and came away with the win, 19-14.
FINAL
PNG v FIJ: The finals contest between Papua New Guinea and Fiji was the first time the two teams had met at this event. Fiji flexed early through swift ball movement between Keenan Hughes, Isaac Sewabu, and Tevita Vugakoto Vocea. The Elavo connection between Harold and Morea were fierce, but their intuitive court cohesion and deep shooting were not enough, the Fijian combinations winning the Stop 4 final 21-12. Fiji men’s first finals win sees them jump straight to first in the Conference 1 standings, Palau drop to second in the conference after a fifth-place finish at Stop 4, and Papua New Guinea’s finals appearance jumps them up to third in the standings.