Fiji beat home side
The National, Friday July 10th, 2015
By JACK AMI
PAPUA New Guinea women were smashed by hot favourites Fiji 88- 60 in the Pacific Games basketball top four play-offs to determine the medal campaign.
The top four of Pool A pool has Fiji, Tahiti, PNG and American Samoa contesting for the top two spots for the gold medal playoff tomorrow at the Sir John Guise Stadium (PNG Power Dome).
The hosts must beat Tahiti and American Samoa to secure a better chance in the medal contention which is predicted to be a daunting task.
The home side did not perform to their best and were wrecked by the powerful Fijian team.
In the 2011 Pacific Games in French Polynesia, Tahiti were the gold medallist, New Caledonia won silver and Fiji bronze.
New Caledonia is out of the race.
Yesterday, Fiji led all quarters 25-16, 45-31, 78-43 and easily disposed of the opposition in the final quarter to increase the margin by 28 points.
The Fijians proved too classy for the local women, with Mikaelar Whippy netting a high 22 points and her sister Letava grabbed nine.
The siblings featured prominently alongside captain Valeria Nairima, who netted 22, Millakere Koyamainavure (19) and Dislola Boseiwaqa, creating havoc for PNG’s defence in all quarters.
They had the bench support of Seini Dobul, Leba Korovou and Tiyana Kainamoii, who were in devastating form.
PNG lacked the accuracy and coordination in shooting and defence but stylish Betty Angula again top-scored with 24 points and big Louisa Wallace bagged 13.
Captain Maka Muri, Rosa Kairi and Mary Elavo Junior were outplayed as their attacking was closely monitored by the Fijians and they found the going tough.
Their attacking was riddled with errors and as a result, the local women played second-fiddle to the Fijians in the 40-minute challenge that did not reach any great heights.