HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - Fiji’s Estelle Kainamoli was named the Most Valuable Player of the FIBA Women’s Melanesian Cup 2025, after leading her team to a historic championship with a combination of scoring, rebounding, defense, and leadership.
Kainamoli averaged 13.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 4.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, recording three double-doubles throughout the competition. She posted 23 points and 11 rebounds against New Caledonia in the Group Phase and closed the tournament with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 steals in the Final against Papua New Guinea.
Kainamoli’s MVP honor caps off a breakout campaign that has cemented her place among the region’s elite.
Kainamoli was joined on the All-Star Five by her Fijian teammate Bulou Tuisue, New Caledonia’s Adeline Souque, and Papua New Guinea’s powerful duo Lynette Tongia and Jackie Asiba.
Tuisue’s size and effort in the paint were crucial to Fiji’s title run, as she averaged 6.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, highlighted by a 13-rebound effort against Papua New Guinea in the Group Phase and a near double-double of 10 points and 9 rebounds in the Final.
Souque was New Caledonia’s heartbeat throughout the tournament, averaging 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Her best outing came against Papua New Guinea, where she tallied 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, showing her complete game on both ends of the floor.
Tongia anchored Papua New Guinea’s frontcourt with her physical presence, averaging 10.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. She impressed in the Group Phase with a 14-point, 15-rebound, 3-block performance against New Caledonia.
Her teammate Jackie Asiba was another standout inside, averaging 6.2 points and 8.6 rebounds, including a tournament-best 15 rebounds in the matchup against Vanuatu.
FIBA