New qualification format for b’ball

FIBA Oceania has clarified that spots for the 2019 Pacific Games would be limited.
This has come about with FIBA’s new competition system, which includes the sub-zone competition.
The sub-zone competition includes the Melanesian Cup that is scheduled for Sept 24 to Oct 1 in Port Moresby.
FIBA Oceania executive director David Crocker said limited spots in the 2019 Pacific Games would push teams to strive harder than before.
He believes the approach will reap good results in the long term.
“This provides national federations the opportunity for their best players to compete as a team at the highest level and with a spot in the 2019 Pacific Games on the line, the sub-zone competitions will be fiercely-contested,” Crocker said.
Crocker said the stakes would be high for the Melanesian Cup as the top three teams from the tournament would represent their region at the 2019 Pacific Games in Tonga.
He said PNG would host the inaugural Melanesian Cup, with the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuatu attending.
The top three from the tournament will earn spots in the 2019 games.
The same would apply for the Micronesian and Polynesian Cup tournaments.
“From the Pacific Games, the top two will qualify to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup pre-qualifiers.
These two teams will start their 2025 Asia Cup qualifying campaign during the 2023 qualification window.”
Crocker said the new system was purposely established to improve the game in the region.