U19 boys unbeaten

THE Fiji under-19 basketball boys side remains unbeaten in the World Youth Championship which is in progress in Melbourne, Australia.

The Saula Koroi-coached side defeated New Caledonia 81-76 in their opening match on Monday before thrashing Papua New Guinea 97-56 yesterday. Fiji trailed 49-36 at the break in the match against New Caledonia and managed to make a grand comeback in the second spell, winning the final two quarters to claim victory.

Pita Sowakula (Gus) of Lautoka Central was the top points scorer for Fiji after he managed to score 19 points followed by Ulaiasi Koroi on 18 and former Marist Brothers' High School player Mataika Koyamainavure on 14.

In their second match, the national side maintained dominance throughout the game to ease through with a 97-56 win over a struggling PNG side.

Filimoni Vulimailaucala proved to be Fiji's number one guard in the first-half, scoring 15 points alone to add to his tally of 25 in the game. MBHS player Iosefa Taliu was excellent with his field goals with 71 per cent accuracy.

Koroi, Taliu, Koyamainabure, Sowakula and Lorima Sautu were impressive for the national side against PNG. The Isireli Vuetibau-skippered team will play New Zealand in its final match today.

In the girls division, the national side led by captain Grace Taito defeated Guam 64-31 in the opening match and were playing New Zealand when this edition went to press. Taito was Fiji's top points scorer on 15 points followed by Tiyana Kainamoli on 11, Ro Naivaluvou on 12 and Kelera Koyamainavure on 10.

The Laisiasa Puamau-coached side will play PNG in its final match today.