Men basket semis spot

Men basket semis spot

THE Fiji men's basketball team easily booked their spot in the semi-final after an impressive 111-48 victory over Federal States of Micronesia of Micronesia at Salley Anewy on Saturday night.

This sets up a dual with Guam in the semi-finals at 7pm (Fiji Time) tomorrow. Fiji finished as pool winners winning all pool matches. The Leonard Whippy captained beat Samoa 80-61 in the opening pool, then they defeated American Samoa 76-55 before outclassing Papua New Guinea 87-62 in the final pool match.

The defending champion has been dubbed by the New Caledonia media to succesfully defend the gold medal. However skipper Whippy said they would take each game one at a time. Prior to the first game Whippy said they respected all opponents and would be at their best in each game to head back home with the another gold medal.

Whippy who made a return to New Caledonia after 13 years said the team bond and unity is something that boosted the side in previous games. "It will be hard to defend the gold. I know that other teams will want to win gold. Everybody will be gunning to come against us but we are eager to play," he said.

"The pressure is there a little bit. Our mental preparation should help us along the way," Whippy said.

Whippy wants his players to focus

FIJI women's basketball coach Michael Whippy says her players needed to be focused on the game in order to defend their gold medal in Noumea. Fiji made a slow start into the tournament but bounce back in style to set up an exciting semi-final clash with New Caledonia tomorrow. Whippy said he has reminded his players to be focused and not to be drafted away from the team's objective of defending the gold medal.

'The gold is a bit clearer in our sight now. We will be playing New Caledonia in the semis and we know it will not be an easy game for us.' We have played New Caledonia many times and I believe we have a good chance to proceed further into the tournament,' he said.

'I have reminded the girls to remain focused on the game and I believe we should do well if we remain on our focus,' Whippy said. He said they made a good recovery into the tournament despite losing their opening game. 'I told you that we will bounce back into the game. We lost the first game and we are back into business. Whippy added some players are recovering from minor injuries

Delai, Puamau take top prizes at Pacific Prize

JONE Delai and Laisiasa Puamau was named the Pacific Coach and Administrator of the Year during the Pacific Sports Awards in New Caledonia yesterday.

Delai was among five other nominees from the Pacific. The former Pacific sprint king beat strong contenders from Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tahiti and Northern Arianas to walk away with the top award.

The 45-year-old Delai had a personal best of 10.26 seconds in the 100meters.

Delai won a silver medal in 100m at the 1990 Oceanian Championships, and became Oceanian champion over both 100 and 200m in 1994. He competed in the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics. In 1998 he became the California Junior College 100m champion equaling his personal best.

Delai still holds the Pacific Games record for the men's 100m sprints at a time of 10.34secs.

Puamau who is also Basketball Fiji's development officer was among the four nominees for the award. He beat Charles Villierme of Tahiti, Bill Leane of PNG and Alister Stevic from Cook Islands.

Tam Fiji deputy Chef-de-Mission Christopher Yee said the achivement was a milestone for Fiji.

'We are so happy to win the award. It is good to see these officials and coaches get recognised for their contribution to the sport. They have done so mcuh in lifting the sport to another level and I believe they deserve to be recognised,' Yee said.

Nauru strongman and Oceania champion weightlifter Itte Detenamo was name the Male Athlete of the year, Samoan weightlifter Epe Opolego scooped the top female award.Patricia Taea of Cook Islands was named the Junior athlete of the year.






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