Samoa Flexes at Pacific Games

HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - Samoa have continued their winning ways at the Pacific Games with a dominant performance against Guam.

Azalleah Oloapu, Tyla Paraha, and Matthes Hildegard all shot the house down, while Fayreen Fualau was strong under the rim.

At her first Pacific Games, Hildegard was right at home in the Samoan line-up.

“I felt really comfortable within the team, and it was really fun,” Hildegard said.  “It’s great to start the competition with a couple of wins.”

In their first hit-out of the competition, Fiji took care of business against the host nation, Solomon Islands, 82-43.

Matila Vocea finished with a double-double, while Letava Kenny, and Mili Koyamainavure showed leadership and poise in a comfortable win.

“I feel great to get the win and to get the first match out of the way, now we go back and refocus for our next match,” Koyamainavure said.

Koyamainavure in action at the Pacific Games

In her fourth Pacific Games, Koyamainavure said the team are shaping up to go deep into finals.

“Preparations have been good, we are focusing on one game at a time, we are done with the Solomon Islands so now our focus shifts to Guam.”

The Pacific Games will be hosted by Solomon Islands from November 19 – December 2, 2023.  The Pacific Games Women’s Basketball Tournament is the official qualifiers of the Oceania region to the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division B.