Fiji overcame a slow start to defeat Papua New Guinea 57-44 and claim their second FIBA Women’s Melanesian Cup title in Honiara.
The win sees Fiji retain the title they won in 2022, while handing PNG their first loss of the tournament, after PNG had beaten Fiji in the group stage.
Papua New Guinea started strongly, leading at the end of the first quarter with an 8-point advantage, thanks to a late surge from Jemina James, who scored six points in the final two minutes of the period.
Fiji bounced back in the second quarter with a defining 9-0 run to seize control and never looked back.
It was a well-balanced effort from the Fijians, with Estelle Kainamoli leading the charge with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 steals. Ro Waqairawai and Bulou Marawa Elena Tuisue added 10 points each.
For PNG, Marca Muri top-scored with 12 points while Betty Angula dominated the boards with 15 rebounds.
Both Fiji and Papua New Guinea have now qualified for the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti.
Meanwhile, Fiji’s men’s basketball team settled for silver after going down 68-61 to Papua New Guinea in the final.
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