POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Pita Sowakula
Pool I
Fiji-Samoa 79:85
Samoa outgun Fiji in Wellington at Day 2 of the Pacific Championship. Samoa improved to 1-1 record after an 85: 79 victory. Fiji meanwhile suffered their first loss and also has 1-1 record.
Fiji won the first period 27-18, but could not keep the lead. Samoa replied with a 17-11 rally in the second frame and reduced to 38:35 at the halftime. Moreover Samoa posted two narrow victories in the second half and reached 6-point win.
Valance Mccarthy top-scored for the winners with 18 points and Meki Purcell nailed 15. Ikenasio and Charles Epati delivered 12 points each. Pita Sowakula shot 21 points in the losing case, whilst Seruvatu poured in 15. Leonard Whippy (180-G-82, college: BYU-Hawaii) delivered 13 and Banuve had 10.
Fiji: Pita Sowakula 21, Seruvatu 15, Leonard Whippy 13, Banuve 10
Samoa: Valance Mccarthy 18, Meki Purcell 15, Ikenasio 12, Charles Epati 12
New Zealand Maori-New Caledonia 113:53
New Zealand rout New Caledonia for second win at the Pacific Championship 2013. The hosts of the tournament improved to 2-0 record after a 113:53 comfortable win. New Caledonia meanwhile fell at 0-2 record.
New Zealand opened the game with a 26-21 lead and added massive 32-7 run in the second frame. They produced a 24-9 rally in the third quarter and reached 45-point advantage after three quarters. The favorites finished the game with a 31-16 run for the final success.
Bailey-Novell led the well-balanced team with 19 points and Puke Lenden (198-G/F-80) notched 18. James Paringatai (200-F-86) and Shea Ili (183-G-92) followed them with 15 points each. Myriam Fenuafanote replied with 10 points, while Ruben Ha Ho and Taufana produced 9 each. Joan Delaunay-Belleville delivered 8 points in a loss.
New Zealand Maori: Bailey-Novell 19, Puke Lenden 18, James Paringatai 15, Shea Ili 15
New Caledonia: Myriam Fenuafanote 10, Ruben Ha Ho 9, Taufana 9, Joan Delaunay-Belleville 8
POOL II
Guam-Australia 76:78
Australia escape with the narrow win over Guam at the second Day of the Pacific Championship 2013. The favorites grabbed 78:76 win for 2-0 record. Guam meanwhile fell at 1-1 record.
Both teams scored 17 points each in the first period. Australia managed to win the second frame 16-13 but Guam responded with a 25-24 run in the third quarter. Both teams scored 21 points at the last stanza as Australia escape with the narrow win over Guam.
Woodfall paced all the winners with 18 points and Rhys Vague netted 15. Michael Healy and Gerasimos Mckay poured in 8 each. Jesus Cruz answered with high 31 points while Mekeli Wesley (206-F-79, agency: Stanley International, college: BYU) delivered 12. Stinnett produced 11, whilst Joseph Blas (183-G/F) had 7.
Guam: Jesus Cruz 31, Mekeli Wesley 12, Stinnett 11, Joseph Blas 7
Australia: Woodfall 18, Rhys Vague 15, Michael Healy 8, Gerasimos Mckay 8
Papua New Guinea- Tahiti 62:69
Tahiti posts the initial win at the Pacific Championship 2013. They improved to 1-1 record after a 69:62 win over Papua New Guinea. The latter suffered their second straight loss.
Both teams lost their openers and tried hard to post the first victory. Papua New Guinea won the opening period 15-13, but Tahiti erupted with a 23-6 surge in the second quarter for 36:21 halftime advantage. No matter how hard Papua New Guinea tried to recover they could not catch up with the opponents.
Ariihau Meuel top-scored for the winners with 14 points and Eddy Commings as well Tuparau Ariitu poured in 12 each. Haunui Apeang and Michel Audouin produced 10 points each. Apia Muri ended up with 19 points in the losing effort and Purari Muri (PG-93) had 14. Gabriel Elavo and Mika Loko produced 9 each in a loss.
Papua New Guinea: Apia Muri 19, Purari Muri 14, Gabriel Elavo 9, Mika Loko 9
Tahiti: Ariihau Meuel 14, Eddy Commings 12, Tuparau Ariitu 12, Haunui Apeang 10, Michel Audouin 10
