FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament preview

Papua New Guinea will participate in the FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament for Women which will be held in Auckland, New Zealand in a little more than a week. Papua New Guinea has been drawn in the Pool B along with Guam, Tahiti and Australia. This tournament is for the players born in 1986 and after.

Schedule:
PNG - Guam on Oct 15
PNG - Australia on Oct 16
PNG - Tahiti on Oct 17
Playoffs on Oct 19-21

Extended roster:
Amanda Taumata
Betty Angula
Christine Oscar
Emma Daroa
Grace Renagi
Jacobeth Yuasi
Julie-Anne Diro
Margaret Ani
Mary Elavo
Nape Waka
Nesta Sape
Philipa Joumkalop
Relsie Kealo
Sibona Kala
Sophie Yaruso
Tiata Baldwin
Tracy Yasi

Preview:
Papua New Guinea is still considered as the sleeping giant of the Oceania region. A large population, a great potential but they are lacking money and experience. The PNG players will face some tough opponents in this tournament, the team has not been drawn in the hardest group but the team should be playing for the 5th place in the classification games. Papua New Guinea has what it takes to be competitive against teams like Guam or American Samoa.
Prevision: 7th

You can follow this tournament on our special "FIBA Youth Tournament 2006" page, we will post a recap of the team's games during this event in the days following the Gold medal. Stay tuned.