HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia battled it out in the first game of day two. With PNG in the lead at the end of the third quarter, New Caledonia dug deep and made a comeback, forcing PNG to go into overtime with four players fouled out and 4 players in foul trouble.
In the last minute, PNG nailed a three to get in front, then New Caledonia responded with another three to regain the lead. Betty Wong from PNG then shot one last three-pointer with 20 seconds left, tying the game 65-65 before going into overtime.
With a roaring bench full of fouled-out players, PNG took the win in the overtime period, beating New Caledonia 76-70 in an extremely close game.
"It was really amazing," said Hannah Kalua from PNG. "Considering our continuous fouls, I can’t describe it. It was just teamwork. Teamwork makes the dream work."
Kalua, a FIBA Melanesian Cup debutant, shot many threes for PNG, as well as Betty Wong, who led the charge with 15 points, Lynette Tongia, with 14 points, and Jackie Asiba, with 9 points. Normalisa Dobunaba controlled the ball with 5 steals, and Betty Angula made 4 assists for PNG.
Kalua says being on a team with these women has been an inspiring experience for her, coming into her first 5x5 international tournament.
"It has been great so far," she said. "Their mentorship and leadership, on and off the court as well, has been a great pathway for us debutants coming up in this stage."
The New Caledonia women held their own the entire game, drawing fouls and making free throws to keep the score close. Adeline Souque scored 21 points and 14 free throws, with Maimiti Odette Tetuanui scoring 13 points and 9 free throws, and Enola An Ah Tchung scoring 13 points and 6 free throws. Moone Konhu was the leader under the basket with 12 rebounds for New Caledonia.
The second game of the day ended with the Fiji women triumphing over the host nation, Solomon Islands. Fiji took control of the game in the third quarter, scoring 23 points against the host nation. Makaefa Savu scored 11 points, with Bulou Marawa Elena Tuisue leading in rebounds (6) and assists (3).
Solomon Islands were working the fast breaks and using teamwork under the basket to get points on the board. Ruth Slade scored 13 points, 3 assists and 4 steals, while Britney Gwen Basia was a winner under the basket with 9 rebounds.
The FIBA Women’s Melanesian Cup continues tomorrow with Vanuatu going up against New Caledonia at 4 pm (local time), and PNG battling it out against Fiji at 6:30 pm (local time).
The FIBA Women's Melanesian Cup is being hosted by the Solomon Islands Basketball Federations in Honiara from October 13 to 18. The event is supported by the National Sports Council, with the two teams qualifying for the Pacific Games 2027 in Tahiti.
All games are livestreamed via the FIBA YouTube Channel courtesy of TTV Solomons Islands.
FIBA