HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - Fiji overcame a slow start against Papua New Guinea to win a second straight FIBA Women's Melanesian Cup, 57-44.
The Fijians won the title in 2022 after losing to Papua New Guinea in the Final in 2017. It was also the first loss for Papua New Guinea in this Women's Melanesia Cup, a run which included a win over Fiji in the Group Phase.
2017 champions Papua New Guinea started the game very well, taking the lead at the end of the first quarter. In the last two minutes of that opening quarter, Jemina James scored all of her six points to give Papua New Guinea an 8-point advantage.
But Fiji were quick to get back on their feet.
The eventual champions started the second quarter with a defining 9-0 run, to take the lead for good. The continued to build up the deficit to as big as 19 points and never led by as less as 10 points in the final quarter before celebrating the victory at the buzzer.
It was a balanced effort for Fiji as they had three players scoring in double-digits. Estelle Kainamoli led the team with 12 points to go with 7 rebounds and 6 steals, while Ro Waqairawai and Bulou Marawa Elena Tuisue also chipped in 10 points each.
Marca Muri led Papua New Guinea in scoring with 12 points, while Betty Angula was huge on the board with 15 rebounds for the runners-up.
Both teams are qualified for the Pacific Games 2027 in Tahiti.
FIBA