Tahiti and Samoa Tip Off in Winning Fashion

KAITAIA (New Zealand) – Tahiti and Samoa started their FIBA Polynesian Cup 2022 campaigns with wins on the opening day of the tournament.

In a physical encounter, Tahiti were too strong and disciplined for American Samoa, running out 36-point winners, 86-50. 

Virgil Burton and Captain Onosai Sofara were consistent, but it was not enough to hold the finely tuned Tahitian unit let by Captain Ariirimarau Meuel, with impressive support off the bench from Temauanui Fauura and debutant, Maui Roopina.

Roopina starred at the FIBA U17 Oceania Championships 2019, finishing the tournament as the top performer for Tahiti and leading point scorer across the board, with 16.8 per game.  On debut with the men’s team today, his form continued with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 turnovers.

“For me it was a great first game and experience for me, but I believe that I could have done better with my decision making, but I am happy with my first game and that experience,” Roopina said.  “It was a really physical game, I’m glad our team took over, stayed calm and played good defence.”

Compared to playing national youth basketball, Roopina highlighted that the quicker decision making is the biggest adjustment for him.  “The physicality and intensity of the game is a lot faster, so you have to make quicker decisions, but other than that, it’s just basketball.”

In the final match of the day Samoa shot out of the blocks with a 25-11 lead at quarter time and did not look back winning, 124-42.

Amongst several top performers, including Captain Wayne Sio, Egon Keli and Einer Thompson, Shareef Saipaia stood out with 27 points and 9 rebounds.

“I’m proud of the boys, they did a really good job setting the tone early, we have built a lot of chemistry together the past few weeks, and everything I have done is on them, just really proud,” Saipaia said.  “The Cook Islands are a good team, we just came out strong, set the tone early.”

Debuting for Samoa, Saipaia was overwhelmed by the moment and opportunity to represent his country.  “It’s amazing … my Samoan family are so proud and it’s a blessing to represent my country and learn more about my culture.  I am half Lebanese and half Samoan so it’s cool to be around the boys and them teaching me and seeing how my dad was raised, it’s a blessing and I can’t thank God enough, my team and my family, especially my Mum.”

But his work isn’t done.

“The job isn’t done yet, we have three more games, we are going to come to every game and play how we did today – that’s the aim.  We are always going to come in humble and end humble, but we are always going to play hard and compete.  This is for our family now so whoever falls, we will pick each other up.”

Te Bluegum and Akira Azura Kanayda Marsters worked hard for the Cook Islands, but it was not enough to get the win on day one of the competition.

The FIBA Polynesian Cup 2022 continues tomorrow at Puna Ora Stadium in Kaitaia, New Zealand with Samoa up against American Samoa at 5pm and Cook Islands taking on Tonga at 7:30pm local time.  All games will be live streamed on the FIBA YouTube channel.

The top two teams at the Poly Cup will qualify for the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. The Pacific Games then serves as the official qualifier for the Oceania region to the FIBA Asia Cup Pre-Qualifiers.

FIBA