APIA (Samoa) - Team Samoa's journey at the youth level of the Women's Asia Cup has been nothing short of remarkable. Just two years ago, they emerged as the surprise winners of U16 Women's Asia Cup Division B, defeating Syria in a thrilling final to achieve a historic promotion.
"It was a rollercoaster," said Kira-May Filemu, a key member of that championship team who has since aged out. "We went from barely knowing each other to winning the whole thing. It felt like a fairytale."
Their victory in Jordan wasn't just a win for Samoa, it was a win for the entire Oceania region. It proved that with hard work and dedication, Pacific Island nations could compete with the basketball powerhouses of Asia.
Now, she's excited about playing for Samoa again in the U18 Asia Cup Division B this year.
"It's a huge step for a small country like Samoa to be playing against teams in Asia," Filemu said. "We're definitely learning and growing, and I have no doubt we'll keep improving.
This year's team faces a unique challenge. Scattered across the globe, the players rely on individual workouts and online communication to stay connected. However, a pre-tournament camp in China will allow them to come together and solidify their game plan.
Samoa's Preliminary Roster for the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2024 Division B
When asked about players to watch, Filemu highlights two rising stars on her team:
Tereise Sufia - a young guard with exceptional skills who sometimes flies under the radar.
Lea-Bella Foa’i-Auimatagi - a dominant centre and a true team player who brings positive energy to the court.
Looking beyond Samoa, Filemu expresses her excitement about reigniting the friendly rivalry with the Philippines, a team they faced in Jordan. She also looks forward to testing their skills against familiar foes like Syria and new challengers like Iran and Kyrgyzstan.
But the most significant impact of Samoa's success might be happening far away from the court. "[Our win] opened a door for the Pacific Islander community," said Filemu. "It showed young girls that there's a pathway for them in basketball."
The surge in interest is undeniable, with more girls attending trials and Pacific Islander players enrolling in development programs. For Filemu this is the most rewarding part of her journey.
"Seeing those little kids looking up to you, that's what it's all about," she says with a smile. "I can't wait to get to China and show them what we can do!"