HONIARA (Solomon Islands) – Papua New Guinea's Moses Apiko was named the Most Valuable Player of the FIBA Melanesian Cup 2025, after powering his team to their second championship title with consistency and clutch play.
Apiko averaged 19.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.6 steals per game across the tournament, including 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in the Final against Fiji. The guard scored 20 points or more in three games, with his standout performance coming against New Caledonia, where he recorded 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists.
This marks another milestone for Papua New Guinea's dynamic leader, who continues to shine as one of the region's premier talents.
Apiko was joined on the All-Star Five by teammate Apia Muri, Fiji's Joshua Fox, New Caledonia's Joan Delaunay-Belleville, and Solomon Islands' Bart Basia - five players who defined the heart and quality of the 2025 Melanesian Cup.
Fox was the anchor for Fiji throughout the campaign, averaging 13.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. The veteran forward posted 13 points and 11 rebounds in the Final and had two standout double-doubles in the Group Phase - 21 points and 9 rebounds versus Vanuatu, and 7 points and 20 rebounds (the most in a single game of the tournament) against New Caledonia.
Delaunay-Belleville orchestrated New Caledonia's offense with precision, averaging 12.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 4.0 steals per game. The playmaker tied the tournament-high for assists in a single game, dishing out 10 assists to go with 9 points against Papua New Guinea in the Group Phase.
Muri provided veteran leadership for Papua New Guinea on both ends of the court, averaging 10.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. He had 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists against Solomon Islands in the Group Phase, and added 5 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block in the Final to help seal the championship.
Basia was a standout performer for hosts Solomon Islands, averaging 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 5.8 steals per game. His all-around brilliance was on full display in the Group Phase against Vanuatu, where he tallied 11 points, 10 assists (tying the single-game high), and 9 steals - the most by any player in the tournament.
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