POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
James Paringatai
FINAL
Australia- New Zealand Maori 66:71
New Zealand Maori win the title of the Pacific Championship 2013. The hosts of the tournament overcame rivals Australia 71:66 in the Final game.
Both teams entered the game undefeated and did their best in the last clash. New Zealand won the first period 21-13 and led 8 points at the halftime. Australia managed to respond with a 21-16 run and reduced to 3 points after 30 minutes. New Zealand Maori however closed the game with a 20-18 and grabbed the title of the Pacific Championship.
James Paringatai (200-F-86) top-scored for the winners with 16 points and Taurima notched 14. Daniel Green and Bailey-Nowell produced 12 points each in a loss. Dufelmeier ended up with 19 points in a loss and Tanner Krebs posted 9. Rhys Vague scored 8, whilst Michael Healy brought 7.
Australia: Dufelmeier 19, Tanner Krebs 9, Rhys Vague 8, Michael Healy 7
New Zealand Maori: James Paringatai 16, Taurima 14, Daniel Green 12, Bailey-Nowell 12
3rd place
Samoa-Guam 76:88
Guam clinch third place in Wellington at the Pacific Championship 2013. They overcame Samoa 88:76 in the game for the third place.
Guam started the game with a 19-16 rally and added 25-18 run in the second period. The third period was decisive in the game as Guam posted another 25-15 surge to have 20-point advantage after three quarters. Samoa managed to reply with a 27-19 run in the last stanza for the final result. Robson Tavita (194-F-70) and Stake became the last players to score for their teams.
Mekeli Wesley (206-F-79, agency: Stanley International, college: BYU) stepped up with 24 points and Joseph Blas netted 15. Jesus Cruz produced 13, whilst Stinnett added 12. Ikenasio ended up with 21 points in a loss and Robson Tavita delivered 19. Charles Epati shot 15, whilst Valance McCarthy added 10.
Samoa: Ikenasio 21, Robson Tavita 19, Charles Epati 15, Valance McCarthy 10
Guam: Mekeli Wesley 24, Joseph Blas 15, Jesus Cruz 13, Stinnett 12
5-6 places
New Caledonia-Fiji 73:54
New Caledonia finished fifth at the Pacific Championship 2013. They outscored Fiji 73:54 in their last game of the competition.
New Caledonia erupted with a 27-9 surge in the first period and never looked behind after. They added defensive 15-6 rally in the second frame and increased to 42:15 at the halftime. Fiji meanwhile looked better in the second half and managed to win both quarters. They came up with a 19-12 run in the third period and closed the game with a 20-19 rally.
Todikromo paced all the winners with 15 points, while Jean-Jacques Taufana (185-F-86) collected 14 points and 14 rebounds. Delaunay-Belleville notched 11, whilst Ruben Ha Ho and Fenuafanote added 8 each. Leonard Whippy (180-G-82, college: BYU-Hawaii) poured in 18 points in the losing effort and Sowakula had 11 points and 11 boards. Tabuduka posted 9, whilst Seruvatu brought 7.
New Caledonia: Todikromo 15, Jean-Jacques Taufana 14+14 rebs, Delaunay-Belleville 11, Ruben Ha Ho 8, Fenuafanote 8
Fiji: Leonard Whippy 18, Sowakula 11+11 rebs, Tabuduka 9, Seruvatu 7
7-8 places
Tahiti- Papua New Guinea 66:74
Papua New Guinea beat Tahiti to escape the last spot at the Pacific Championship 2013. Papua New Guinea won 74:66 and finished 7th in Wellington. Tahiti ended up on the 8th position.
Papua New Guinea started the game with an 18-14 run and added 20-14 rally. Moreover they posted a 19-15 rally in the third period and enjoyed a 14-point advantage after three quarters. Tahiti replied with a 23-17 run in the last stanza for the final result.
Wally Parapa (191-F) led the way with 16 points, while Apia Muri and Sibona Kala notched 15 apiece. Purari Muri followed them with 13 points in a win. Eddy Commings ended up with 26 points in a loss and Michel Audouin collected 17 points and 12 rebounds. Ariihau Meuel produced 11, whilst Teihotu added 5.
Tahiti: Eddy Commings 26, Michel Audouin 17+12 rebs, Ariihau Meuel 11, Teihotu 5
Papua New Guinea: Wally Parapa 16, Apia Muri 15, Sibona Kala 15, Purari Muri 13
