The Tahiti Basketball Federation submitted a 28-name preliminary squad for the upcoming South Pacific Games which will be held in Samoa at the end of August. This squad features some experienced players like Beo Tetuaiteroi, Honoura Bonnet or Rahitiarii Teriierooiterai, but also some members of last year's U20 team like the young sensation Kevin Avvenenti (183-G-88).
The Tahiti Basketball Federation submitted a 28-name preliminary squad for the upcoming South Pacific Games which will be held in Samoa at the end of August. This squad features some experienced players like Beo Tetuaiteroi, Honoura Bonnet or Rahitiarii Teriierooiterai, but also some members of last year's U20 team like the young sensation Kevin Avvenenti (183-G-88).
Tahiti extended squad - SPG 2007: Orama Huri Kevin Avvenenti Beo Tetuaiteroi Matorarii Tuheiava Rahitiarii Teriierooiterai Carlos Perez Hoarai Dauphin Narii Iotefa Taihia Maitere Tehina Nena Anthony Doucet Steve Garbutt Honoura Bonnet Rudolphe Bretault Colombel Charles Marere Coquil Cyril Gelot Vatea Gibson Torea Gueirard Didier Laille Teva Lejeune Raimoana Liu Teteetaua Otomimi Hitirama Tapi Heimana Teamotuaitau Novick Teniaro Larry Teriitemataua Vaiarii Yeun
The road was harder than the previous years but at the end of the season AS Aorai remains the Tahiti champion. The team who lost the Polynesia Cup against Central swept Excelsior in the Tahiti Federal finals serie. With this win, Aorai will play in the 2007 Pacific Champions Cup.
The road was harder than the previous years but at the end of the season AS Aorai remains the Tahiti champion. The team who lost the Polynesia Cup against Central swept Excelsior in the Tahiti Federal finals serie. With this win, Aorai will play in the 2007 Pacific Champions Cup. AS Aorai got a revenge over Central in the semifinal series and reached the final stage looking for a fifth consecutive title. Honoura Bonnet and his teamates won the first game 93-74, the second one was much closer but Aorai claimed the win in the dying moments, 83-82. Kevin Avvenenti and his Excelsior teamates were unable to stop Aorai in the third and last game of the serie, 86-75.
EXCLUSIVE Interview with Kevin Avvenenti (183-G-88)
Kevin Avvenenti made a brillant FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament in New Zealand last year, he led Tahiti to the 4th place and was one of the best player on the floor. He was selected in the Oceania All-Star team that played in the 2007 U20 Nationals in Ballarat, Australia. We spoke with him about his experience and about the state of basketball in Tahiti.
Kevin Avvenenti made a brillant FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament in New Zealand last year, he led Tahiti to the 4th place and was one of the best player on the floor. He was selected in the Oceania All-Star team that played in the 2007 U20 Nationals in Ballarat, Australia. We spoke with him about his experience and about the state of basketball in Tahiti. You can read this interview and many more news about the young basketball players in Oceania on www.aussiebasketball.com
Last month you have been playing in the U20 Nationals in Australia with the Oceania All-Stars. How was it? First of all, the average level of the australian player which is so much better than the pacific islanders. Then a great organization from FIBA Oceania. That was an experience to remember.
Were you surprised by the players level there? Yes. I played for one season in France and I think that the player were better in Ballarat than in France at the same age. That's my feeling.
Which game was the hardest? Do you remember a player from this tournament? Our toughest game was our first one, our training game. That was our first game in Australia and we just kept getting better from that point. I was impressed by one player in particuliar, Patrick Mills. I got the chance to play against him and I am honoured about this opportunity.
How was the squad in terms of team chemistry? You're right we had a lot of troubles in our first games and we were not consistent but as the week went on the Oceania All-Stars started to play well... despite winning zero games (laughs).
There was three tahitians and one caledonian in the team. How were the relations between the french-speaking and the english speaking players? Off the court that was OK but on the court we had some problems to communicate of course. We can speak english but in the middle of the game, we started to speak french again. I was getting used to the english at the end of the trip.
You were picked in the All-Star team after the FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament in 2006. What are your memories about this tournament? I keep in mind a bitter taste after our 3-point loss to New Caledonia in the Bronze medal game, I didn't play at all in the fourth quarter. I wish we could have bring a medal to our beloved islands. I missed the opportunity... but I was happy to play in such a great tournament with so many good players.
Which teams were your toughest opponents during the tournament? I will have to say Australia of course, but also New Caledonia and Guam.
Will you be playing for Tahiti in the 2007 South Pacific Games in Samoa? I would not be available for the tournament because of school but I'll be there in 4 years (laughs).
In Tahiti, you are playing for Excelsior. How to defeat Aorai, the country's perenial champion? They are definetely the team to beat but right now our team is leading the league and the playoffs will start in three weeks. We will have to play at our best to win the title this season.
How did you start playing basketball? I was born and raised in Tahiti, I am playing basketball for 10 years now. I already played in France during one season in Antibes.
How did you end up there? That was just for the french riviera weather? (laughs) No, four years ago we played an U16 tournament in France and I wanted to pursue a sporting cursus there. Georgy Adams helped me to find a place there.
Would you like to leave Tahiti to pursue a basketball career or do you just play for fun? I have always dreamt of a pro career like everyone I suppose, I failed in France but right now, if I do have a second chance, I will no let it go away. Even if this is a huge decision.
How do you rate the basketball in Tahiti? I think that three of four players could be playing as pro. On the average level, the teams could be compared to the french 6th division, the regional level. Aorai could be playing one division higher.
What could be changed to improve the level in Tahiti? Structures, give some money to the coaches or players according to their talent, the opportunity to pass some certifications in basketball. Well most of all, this is a financial problem (laughs)
Do you get any help from France? In basketball yes but I think that the people here are not able to use this opportunity. We had the chance to have Michel Gomez here to train the team for the Pacific Games. But we don't know if he will be able to comeback to coach the team in the tournament.
He's coaching France national reserve team as well. (laughs) Yes, I know he's good.
A last word in tahitian to close this interview? Ia ora na (hello) to all the basketball players and "enjoy your game, play like animals!!!" like our coach Eddie Calic said in the U20 Nationals (laughs)
Three tahitians players were selected in the Oceania All-Stars team after the 2006 FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament: Kevin Avvenenti, Larry Teriiemataua and Rahititiarii Teriierooiterai. The team made a tour in Australia and played in the U20 Nationals against the best australian players born in 1988 and 1989.
Three tahitians players were selected in the Oceania All-Stars team after the 2006 FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament: Kevin Avvenenti, Larry Teriiemataua and Rahititiarii Teriierooiterai. The team made a tour in Australia and played in the U20 Nationals against the best australian players born in 1988 and 1989. The Oceania All-Stars were unable to win a single game in Australia but the tahitians should have learn a lot in this tournament. The both enjoyed a big playing time. Avvenenti was one of the best scorer of the team despite the strong australian defense, Teriierooiterai did a good job in the paint while Teriiemataua showed some interesting skills.
Final Standings: New South Wales Queensland Western Australia Australia Capital Territory South Australia Victoria Tasmania Oceania All-Star
2006 Tahiti champion and Pacific Cup winner, AS Aorai travelled to France to play in the French Cup against St Maurice, a team near Paris. The Tahitians started the game with a 7-0 lead due to the level difference but lost the contest in the final moments. This game was played in front of a friendly crowd including 1997 Track-and-Field 400m World Champion Stephane Diagana.
2006 Tahiti champion and Pacific Cup winner, AS Aorai travelled to France to play in the French Cup against St Maurice, a team near Paris. The Tahitians started the game with a 7-0 lead due to the level difference but lost the contest in the final moments. This game was played in front of a friendly crowd including 1997 Track-and-Field 400m World Champion Stephane Diagana.
"That was a great day" said St Maurice president "I want to congratulate everybody especially the players from both teams who made this game a pretty intense and thrilling one".
Here is a couple of pictures from the game, with the tahitian players in blue:
The perenial Tahiti champion, AS Aorai will face St Maurice, a team near Paris, in the French Cup 7th round on February 3rd. St Maurice is playing in the french fourth league, due to the level difference, AS Aorai will start the game with a 7-0 lead. This should be a tough game for the tahitians against a taller team including a 203cm center (Rully Sejor) and 8 players above 193cm.
The perenial Tahiti champion, AS Aorai will face St Maurice, a team near Paris, in the French Cup 7th round on February 3rd. St Maurice is playing in the french fourth league, due to the level difference, AS Aorai will start the game with a 7-0 lead. This should be a tough game for the tahitians against a taller team including a 203cm center (Rully Sejor) and 8 players above 193cm. But the hardest part of the trip will be the 24-hour long flight and the 10°C weather in Paris.
St Maurice team: Elliott Brunet (181-G-88) Jeremy Grosz (182-G-88) Abdessatar Hassen (184-G-73) Christophe Michaut (185-G-88) Patrick Mbida Ekani (193-F-80) Jihad Mahboub (194-G/F-85) Thierry Ngui (194-F-77) David Carre (194-G-82) Dan Longin (196-F-88) Tom Brunet (196-G/F-85) Christian Priso (198-F/C-74) Rully Sejor (203-C-73) coach: Germain Fidami
The perennial champion of Tahiti, AS Aorai, won its 4th consecutive Pacific Champions Cup, 5th overall, against the caledonian champion Vallee-du-Tir 64-55 in New Caledonia. Aorai will have another run in the French Cup.
The perennial champion of Tahiti, AS Aorai, won its 4th consecutive Pacific Champions Cup, 5th overall, against the caledonian champion Vallee-du-Tir 64-55 in New Caledonia. Aorai will have another run in the French Cup.
Despite playing in front of an hostile crowd, the tahitians were a great start in this game against the Caledonian champions and were already leading 24-9 after the opening quarter. A great shooting game, a domination in the paint and a suffocating defense. The coach was delighted by his players performances. "It's great do claim another Tahiti league-Pacific Cup chelem. The players made a good game" said a smiling Pierre Villant. "We were dominating on the boards and took an early lead. You have to congratulate our captain, Honoura Bonnet. He made one of his best game, he was everywhere on both ends of the court. He was a great floor general and his plays were inspirational for his teamates. We will now enjoy the Christmas season at home before going back to our training session to be ready for the French Cup". The JSVDT players finally woke up but Aorai managed to keep the lead and the score was 49-40 at the beginning of the final quarter. Caledonian Stephane Saminadin scored 8 points in a row to bring his team ahead (49-51). The game was about to choose its winner but Novick Teniaro and Honoura Bonnet both scored two important three-point shots to smash the caledonian hopes. Aorai was leading 58-51 and would keep the lead until the final buzzer. The players invaded the court to celebrate the team's fourth consecutive win in this Pacific Champions Cup and the qualification for the French Cup. "I think I made a good game but every player was important." said Honoura Bonnet. "We played our way despite a little lack of confidence because we were not at our best physically. JSVDT made a bad first quarter while we were already playing well. We stayed in the game even when Vallee took the lead in the fourth period. This win is a great thing before heading to the French Cup". This is the fifth win in this tournament for AS Aorai (1999, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006) and the team earned a spot to play in the 6th round of the 2007 French Cup. This round is scheduled in February.
JSVDT - Aorai: 55-64 (28-35)
JSVDT: Fabrice Chaliot 17pts Stephane Saminadin 16pts Benoit Weber 6pts Benjamin Gutte 5pts Gerard Girier-Dufournier 4pts Marc Lemo 4pts Jean-Baptiste Fuller 2pts Moana Mana 1pts Jean-Claude Chaliot 0pts Yann Mathelon 0pts coach: Eric Saminadin
The champion of Tahiti, AS Aorai has landed in Noumea, New Caledonia, to play against JS Vallée-du-tir to play the Pacific Champions Cup. The winner of this game will play the French Cup. Aorai is having some cohesion problems since many players missed the trainings in the last three weeks. The team lost by 10 against an all-star selection in Papeete.
The champion of Tahiti, AS Aorai has landed in Noumea, New Caledonia, to play against JS Vallee-du-tir to play the Pacific Champions Cup. The winner of this game will play the French Cup. Aorai is having some cohesion problems since many players missed the trainings in the last three weeks. The team lost by 10 against an all-star selection in Papeete. The game against JSVDT should be pretty hard. Last season the tahitian managed to come from behind to steal the win in the final minutes.
Tahiti made a brilliant FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament in Auckland, New Zealand. They managed to reach the semifinals but lost the Bronze medal against their caledonian rivals. Anyway, the coaches were delighted by their players attitude and Tahiti proved that the island remains a strong contender in the Pacific region. Kevin Avvenenti was the team's leading scorer and the most gifted player.
Tahiti made a brilliant FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament in Auckland, New Zealand. They managed to reach the semifinals but lost the Bronze medal against their caledonian rivals. Anyway, the coaches were delighted by their players attitude and Tahiti proved that the island remains a strong contender in the Pacific region. Kevin Avvenenti was the team's leading scorer and the most gifted player. In the paint, Raimoana Liu and Nuutea Leon dominated their opponents on the rebounds and players like Jacky Leau Kang Mui, Rahiti Teriierooiterai and Larry Teriitemataua tried to help Avvenenti on the offensive end. After this tournament, Tahiti could come in Samoa with high hopes next year for the 2007 South Pacific Games.
Pools: Tahiti - American Samoa: 75-49 A very important game to avoid the pool last spot in the pool, Tahiti secured 26-point win on the wings of Jacky Leau Kang Mui who scored 16pts. Raimoana Liu recorded a double-double with 10pts 12rbs. Stats: Jacky Leau Kang Mui 16pts 8/16FG, Kevin Avvenenti 12pts 4/11FG, Rahiti Teriierooterai 12pts 4/11FG 7rbs
Tahiti - Australia: 53-72 A very promising game for the tahitians who recorded their smallest loss against the mighty australian in years. Kevin Avvenenti top-scored for Tahiti with 14pts while Raimoana Liu recorded a second double-double. Stats: Kevin Avvenenti 14pts 4/11FG 8rbs, Raimoana Liu 11pts 4/7FG 10rbs, Larry Teiitemataua 8pts 3/10FG
Tahiti - Guam: 70-76 A disapointing results after two great games, Tahiti was unable to defeat Guam and ended the pool phase at the 3rd place. Raimoana Liu recorded a third double-double in three games. Stats: Kevin Avvenenti 14pts 5/14FG 9rbs, Raimoana Liu 14pts 5/12FG 14rbs, Jacky Leau Kang Mui 10pts 3/8FG
Pool Standing: 1- Australia 3-0 2- Guam 2-1 3- Tahiti 1-2 4- American Samoa 0-3
Quarterfinals: Tahiti - Fiji: 95-54 A big surprise to see the tahitian blasting the fijian by 41 points after losing to Guam two days ago. Fiji held on during the first half (-4 after one quarter, -10 at half-time) but a 60-29 effort in the second period made the break. "As coach, I was sure we could win," said coach Christian Varsovie. "But I knew it would be difficult. This was a very important game for us after losing to Guam. After that, we were not sure, but now we are in the semifinals and confident." Kevin Avvenenti raised his level and scored 21pts 10/18FG 8rbs. Stats: Kevin Avvenenti 21pts 10/18FG 8rbs, Matoarii Tuheiava 17pts 7/13FG, Rahiti Teriierooterai 14pts 6/12FG 10rbs
Semifinals: Tahiti - Australia: 53-83 Of course Australia was a lot better than Tahiti but the tahitians played with a lot of pride in the game. The australian lead was smaller than 10-point for most of the first-half. Finally, the depth and the talent of Australia made the difference and Tahiti couldn't resist more. Kevin Avvenenti was the only tahitian able to score in double-figure (13pts 5/13FG 5rbs) despite being the number one target of the aussie defence. Stats: Kevin Avvenenti 13pts 5/13FG 5rbs, Matoarii Tuheiava 9pts 3/5FG 5rbs, Raimoana Liu 8pts 4/11FG 8rbs
Bronze medal game: Tahiti - New Caledonia: 67-70 The team was very close to win this game but the caledonian snatched the victory in the dying moments. Tahiti was leading 55-53 after three quarters and could regret an horrible three-point shooting in this game (5/22). Kevin Avvenenti was as usual the lone scorer (21pts) and he would have welcome some help especially in the final minutes. Liu and Leon did their best in the paint against the strong caledonians. "Of course i'm disapointing, I think we had the potential to win this game. We are unexperienced, especially when we were leading by 10 at the beginning of the second quarter. We believed the game was over but the caledonians came back and we were unable to keep our heads cool. The guys fought hard and played a great defense. But at the end of the game, during the last 10 seconds, we missing three consecutive shots. The game could have gone our way at this moment." said coach Varsovie Stats: Kevin Avvenenti 21pts 7/15FG 6rbs, Nuutea Leon 10pts 5/8FG 8rbs, Raimoana Liu 8pts 3/9FG 10rbs 3bs
Final Standings: 1- New Zealand 2- Australia 3- New Caledonia 4- Tahiti 5- Guam 6- Fiji 7- American Samoa 8- Papua New Guinea
Players recap: Kevin Avvenenti (F) The offensive leader of the team, the only one able to score on a consistent basis. He's got a nice shooting range and really carries the team on his back to the semifinals. Voted in the 2006 Oceania All-Star team. Raimoana Liu (F) A solid power-forward who also spent some time at the center position. He was close to average a double-double. He's got a nice sense for the rebounds and brings his toughness to this team. Jacky Leau Kang Mui (G) The guard made some great offensive games but need to find consistency to be a real danger. Can be hot sometimes. He's a shooting-first guard with a pretty nice handle. Rahiti Teriierooiterai (F) He came from the bench with a lot of energy. Able to crash the boards and finish with power, he needs to work on his outside shot to become a better player. Voted in the 2006 Oceania All-Star team. Matoarii Tuheiava (G) The shooting guard had a lot of troubles with his three-point shooting during the tournament. Not a great defender, he's struggling when his shot is off. Larry Teriitemataua (G) The starting point-guard lost his shooting skills in New Zealand but he dished some great assists and can steal the ball on the passing lanes. Voted in the 2006 Oceania All-Star team. Nuutea Leon (C) Starting center, the best shotblocker and rebounder of the team. Bulky, he was almost a non-factor on the offensive end but Tahiti wouldn't have reach the semifinal without him. Jimmy Temorere (G) Already a member of the U20 team in the 2004 Tournament, he produced some good minutes and was also a good guy in the locker room. Ramanui Nouveau (C) The back-up center only played 59 minutes overall in this tournament. He needs to work on his offensive game, not very athletic. Kevin Delaurent (F) He only played 29 minutes in this tournament and was not very productive on the court. He's very young though and should have learn a lot during the week.
