KOROR (Palau) - After three stops of 3x3 action, the inaugural FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League - Oceania has already delivered history-making performances, nail-biters, and regional bragging rights in the making.
With a rest day on Friday, all eyes turn to Saturday’s Stop 4, where the standings continue to take shape - and the stakes get higher.
Conference 1: Palau men surge, PNG women strike back
Palau's men's team has gone from fifth place in Stop 1 to back-to-back Stop winners, vaulting them to the top of the standings with 250 tour points. With Fiji close behind and Marshall Islands falling off pace in Stop 3, this three-way rivalry could define the final stages.
In the women’s bracket, the previously untouchable Fiji were finally slowed down. Papua New Guinea turned the tables in a gritty 8-7 final win at Stop 3, giving them their first win and keeping the tour title wide open. Expect fireworks when these two clash again.
Conference 1 Games to Watch - Saturday, July 5
FIJ vs PLW (19:25) - The two finalists in the Men's bracket of Stops 2 and 3 match up again in the last game of pool play. With both Final being decided by only one point each, this is a game you don't want to miss.
FIJ vs GUM (19:00) - Guam are in third place on the Women's side. Getting a win here over Fiji might be what they need to put pressure on the head of the table. Their Stop 1 clash was decided by only 2 points.
Conference 2: Tonga women consistent, Men's race too close to call
Tonga's women remain the team to beat with wins in Stops 1 and 2, but a third-place finish in Stop 3 allowed Solomon Islands to climb right back into contention - even after a 5th place finish in Stop 2. Northern Mariana Islands sit just behind in third, while Samoa need a strong showing to stay in FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup and Commonwealth Games contention.
The men’s competition is the most tightly packed, with Solomon Islands at 225 points; Tonga, and Tahiti tied at 220 points apiece; and Northen Mariana Islands at 210 points after three stops. It doesn't get any closer than this.
Conference 2 Games to Watch – Saturday, July 5
TGA vs SOL (18:40) - The Men's Final of Stop 3 rematch should be a good one. It's been the closest margin of victories so far among the first three stops between two teams that are currently first and second in the Conference standings.
SOL vs NMI (18:15) - Tonga have established themselves ahead of the pack on the Women's side (for now), which means this clash between the second and third placed teams in the standings will be very important. Both teams lost in the Final to Tonga in Stop 1 (Solomon Islands) and Stop 2 (Northern Mariana Islands) before facing each other in the Final in Stop 3. They'll get an earlier meet here.
Finals (20:20 for Women's / 20:45 for Men's): With such narrow margins, any combination of final matchups could determine Commonwealth Games qualification.
With just two Stops remaining after Saturday, the sprint to the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup and Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is well and truly on. Catch all the fast-paced, half-court drama live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel.
Don't blink - Stop 4 is shaping up to be the turning point of the league.
FIBA