Guam, Tahiti battle for Qualifying slot; Papua New Guinea fights for survival
In the last day of the Pacific Games Women’s Basketball Event’s Group Phase, four teams will be battling for positions to determine the cast for the Qualifying Finals.
Apia (Samoa) – In the last day of the Pacific Games Women’s Basketball Event’s Group Phase, four teams will be battling for positions to determine the cast for the Qualifying Finals.
Guam and Tahiti are sporting identical 1-1 win-loss cards and will face-off at the curtain-raiser at 12:00 pm.
The LeFranc sisters are leading the charge for Tahiti with both players averaging double-double figures, Alizee (17.0 ppg, 12.5 rpg) and Oceane (12.5 ppg, 13.5 rpg).
Guam’s attack is spearheaded by Destiny Castro (17.5 ppg) with Mia San Nicolas providing able support inside (15.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg).
Both teams are the respective titlists in their regional qualifiers with Tahiti as the reigning FIBA Polynesia Cup champion while Guam was the Gold Medalists in the 2018 Micronesia Games.
Meanwhile, American Samoa will take on winless Papua New Guinea and will go for the sweep of Pool B at the 4:30 scheduled game.
The American Samoans have been the class of the Pool with an 85-76 and 85-61 wins over Guam and Tahiti respectively.
Sarah Toeaina has been the most impressive player for the 2015 Silver Medalists with 22.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game averages while Malia Nawahine is providing the needed assistance with 17.5 and 6.0 rebounds.
For the FIBA Melanesian Cup Champion Rosa Kairi and Polynesia Cup All-Star Five Betty Angula are holding the fort for PNG with 11.5 and 10.5 points per game respectively.
The Pacific Games is also serving as the official qualifier to the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.
FIBA