Guam Victorious in Classification Match

HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - Guam edged out a determined Tonga to finish their Pacific Games campaign with a win.

Tonga was within reach in the dying minutes, but thanks to some heroic defensive efforts, and accurate shooting, Guam secured fifth place, 56-48.

“It was a really tough match, we were tired, but we pushed through,” said Britney Bailey who finished with 14 rebounds, and 11 points for Team Guam.

“For me, it’s just going hard every single time on defence, and I’m trying to improve my offence and just help my teammate out.”

“I love it here, I love the Pacific Games, it’s really fun.”

 Destiny Castro was again deadly offensively, finishing with 13 points, and Joylyn Pangilinan wrapped up her Pacific Games with 11 points.

For Tonga, Fa’anaetaua Puloka shot 19 with Lesieli Manupule sinking 17.  Finishing sixth at their first Pacific Games appearance, the future is bright for women’s basketball in Tonga.

In the first match of the day, Papua New Guinea took care of business against host nation, the Solomon Islands, 47-38.

Captain Macra Muri announced this as her final Pacific Games, finishing with a win meant the world to the five-time PNG veteran.

“This is my last Pacific Games, so to finish with a win is very exciting for me and the team,” Muri said.

“It was great to have the crowd behind us, it was like being at home in Papua New Guinea.”

Rosa Kairi, and Magrette Kevin both played the house down in the win with Clarice Hane getting it done under the rim with 10 rebounds, 9 of those from the defensive end.

Solomon Islander, Dorothy Kio finished with 10 points and finished the competition as the team’s highest points scorer averaging 11.8.

In the semi-finals, Samoa takes on Tahiti, while Fiji will come up against the Cook Islands.  Winning teams will secure a podium finish and chasing an elusive gold medal.

The Pacific Games are being 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.