KOROR (Palau) - Fiji's women's 3x3 team have etched their names into history, clinching direct qualification to both the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after being crowned champions of the Pacific Mini Games in Palau.
It's more than a tournament win - it's a validation of effort at all levels of the game. From community courts to high-level development, Fiji have been laying the foundation for a high-performance pathway in 3x3 basketball. That groundwork has now produced one of its most significant breakthrough yet.
Across six stops and the Final Phase, Fiji proved themselves as the team to beat. They dropped only two games in the entire competition - both in Stop 3 to Papua New Guinea - and showed poise when it mattered most. In the Semi-Finals, they had to claw their way back against a spirited Northern Mariana Islands team, needing a last-second game-winner from Estelle Kainamoli to escape with a 12-11 victory.
In the Final, Fiji were in control from the opening tip against Tonga, weathering a late push to claim the title with a 16-13 win.
"I have no words, honestly," said Moana Liebregts, who scored some important points in the Final. "As much as we were tired, we really really wanted to win that game and I’m so proud of the girls especially tot he girls that really hustled the past weeks."
"And we’re bringing home the gold, baby!"
Tonga finished runners-up, showing they too are fast becoming a regional force, while Northern Mariana Islands edged Papua New Guinea 21-19 in a thrilling third-place game.
For Fiji, this is more than just gold - it's a statement of intent. With two global events now on the horizon, the journey from grassroots to greatness is just getting started.
Aside from the development of Fiji itself, the growth of the game in Pacific Islands is more evident as now all of the teams that played in the Youth National League are now in the Top 80 of the 3x3 Ranking.
FIBA