Fiji Men have qualified for the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games

PAPUA NEW GUINEA (FIBA Melanesia Basketball Cup 2017) - After a heartbreaking loss to host nation Papua New Guinea last night, the Fiji men's team has bounced back and secured their spot in the 2019 Pacific Games. 

Fiji was out for redemption after a couple of tough losses, during the event. They have done just that with a 63-43 win over Solomon Islands on their way to Samoa 2019. After taking home a silver medal in 2015 they will build from their Melanesia Cup performance in the hopes to go one better and take home the Gold in 2019.

Fiji already knows that they will see fellow Melanesia teams New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea in 2019 but now it's a waiting game to see who qualifies from the Polynesian and Micronesia regions.

FIBA.basketball caught up with Marques Whippy from Fiji and get his thoughts on the game.

"It's a great feeling," said Whippy. "The competition has really picked up in the Pacific. This Sols team is probably the best team from Sols I've played against. It's a credit to their coaching staff and players for their hard work. The teams were really fit so they have prepared well. We have two years now to make sure we are ready for Pacific Games."

Fiji will now wait to find out if New Caledonia or Papua New Guinea will hold the first-ever FIBA Melanesia Basketball Cup.

Stay tuned to fiba.basketball/melanesiacup/2017 to find out.

FIBA