Sport Preview: Basketball
Anticipation is reaching its peak as the Sol2023 Pacific Games gears up for the highly awaited basketball competitions, which will commence on Friday 17 November. The action-packed two-week showdown will unfold at the prestigious Friendship Hall, renowned as the home of indoor sports.
In the men’s competition, defending champions Guam, who clinched victory in the previous Pacific Games held in Samoa in 2019, face the daunting task of maintaining their supremacy in what promises to be another challenging tournament.
Fellow Samoa 2019 medallists Tahiti (silver) and Fiji (bronze) will also be vying for honours.
Day one is set to witness intense matchups, with the spotlight on Pool A featuring the clash between Guam and PNG at 12pm and a riveting showdown between Solomon Islands and Samoa at 6pm.
In the women’s tournament, a new champion will be crowned due to the absence of Samoa 2019 gold medallists American Samoa. The other medallists at the previous Games were Fiji (silver) and Samoa (bronze).
The women’s action will begin at 10am when Tonga takes on Cook Islands in Pool B, while at 2pm Fiji will face off against Guam in Pool A, adding an extra layer of excitement to the opening day. Other women’s matches on day 1 are PNG v Tahiti at 4pm and Samoa v Solomon Islands at 8pm.
The 5×5 basketball events will showcase the skills and determination of nine countries – Fiji, Guam, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Tonga across both men’s and women’s competitions, plus New Caledonia in the men’s tournament and Cook Islands in the women’s. These nations will vie for prestigious medals and the glory of victory.
Spectators are urged to bring their general admission tickets for venue entrance, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience in line with the dates specified on their tickets.
The two-week basketball extravaganza promises thrilling moments for fans to rally behind their chosen countries on the scheduled days and times. As the competition unfolds, the Friendship Hall will echo with the cheers and support of basketball enthusiasts from around the Pacific. Get ready for an unforgettable basketball spectacle!
The 5×5 basketball tournaments will be followed by the men’s and women’s 3×3 basketball events, commencing on Wednesday 29 November.
By Walter Sale, Pacific Games News Service
