Fijians Light Up Honiara and Win Gold

HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - Fiji are the Pacific Games basketball champions, after defeating Guam in an epic gold medal match.

In a match for the ages, the two teams pushed each other to their limits with several lead swings, long three-pointers, and physical duels under the rim, Fiji victorious, 51-47.

Led by Captain Marques Whippy, veteran, Joshua Fox, and Filimone ‘Junior’ Waqabaca, the Fijians shut down the run, and shooting freedom that Guam had relied on throughout the competition.

“Our plan was to slow them down, Guam is a great team, we know they like to run and shoot them threes, but we just tried our best to slow them down and trusted each other,” Junior said.

Finishing with 17 points of his own, and playing full court-time, Junior, credited his win to his teammates and working hard in the led-up to the Games.  “Putting in the hard yards when no one is looking, and to my teammates for trusting in me and pushing me to be better,” he said.

Filimone ‘Junior’ Waqabaca going to work under the rim.

The battle between Fiji, and Guam at the Pacific Games has a history which reflects how well matched these two sides have been in recent history.  At the 2007 Pacific Games in Samoa, it was Fiji who won, defeating Guam by one-point to win there first ever Games gold, then in 2015 it was Guam who won gold in Papua New Guinea, defeating Fiji by three points in their pool match.

The two basketball powerhouses did not meet at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa, so we should have been prepared for what this match was going to deliver … but at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, no one knew that this type of finale was on the cards.

Following the final buzzer, the crowd at Friendship Hall erupted with the Fijian player overwhelmed with not only the win, but the support from the local crowd.

“It feels amazing … it’s been a common theme in our camp since the start of this competition to trust in God, and put in the hard yards, and we did that here tonight.”

Earlier in the day, New Caledonia wrapped up their Pacific Games campaign with a bronze medal, defeating Samoa, 97-61.

“We knew that Samoa was a young team who liked to run, so we prepared to combat that and focussed on winning,” New Caledonia Captain, Paul Boawe said.

Ethaniel Fenuafanote top scored with 18 points, while Raymond Weber, and Rodrigue Tetainanuari dominated offensively in their victory.

“We are very proud to win a bronze medal for our country, New Caledonia, taking this medal home to our families means a lot,” Boawe said.  “And now we start preparing the best we can and bring our young players up for the next Pacific Games.”

Semika Chong Nee finished his first Pacific Games as the top scorer for Samoa with Einer Viane the teams most efficient player.

Fiji will now progress to the FIBA Asia Cup Pre-Qualifers.

The Pacific Games are being hosted by Solomon Islands from November 19 – December 2, 2023.  The Pacific Games Basketball Tournament is the official qualifiers of the Oceania region to the FIBA Asia Cup Pre-Qualifiers.