Fiji's 3x3 basketball teams secure gold and qualify for U23 World Cup and Commonwealth Games

RNZ News

3 days ago

Fiji men's (right) won against the Solomon Islands 19-18 in the 3x3 basketball competition at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau. 9 July 2025
Photo:
Facebook / Team Fiji
History was made in the inaugural 3x3 basketball competition at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games when both the Fiji men's and women's teams won both gold medals, and in the process, qualifying for the FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup later this year and the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
It started with the Fiji women's side, led by Moana Liebregts, who defeated Tonga 16-13 in a tough final contest.
Then the men's took centre court and dished out the closest of margins - a one point win over the Solomon Islands - 19-18 in the end.
FIBA is the sport's world governing body.
It's Oceania executive director Amanda Jenkins confirmed Fiji's direct qualification for the two international meets straight after the finals in Koror.
"The Nationa's League (which they called the Mini Games competition), is also a qualifier for the under-23 World Cup, so the Fiji men and Fiji women will now go and play in China later on in the year," she told RNZ Pacific.
Fiji women's team (left) defeated Tonga 16-13, while men's (right) won against the Solomon Islands 19-18 in the 3x3 basketball competition at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau. 9 July 2025
Photo:
Facebook / Team Fiji
Jenkins said the event had been an opportunity for the Pacific to have a direct qualifier into a World Cup.
"That's been extremely important because we've been able to see the talent really step it up. They've had a lot to play for.
"Obviously, the Mini Games gold medal is a big honour, but by having that World Cup qualifier, I think it really did lift the standard."
"We were also able to get a direct qualifying spot for the highest ranked Commonwealth nation into next year's Glasgow Commonwealth Games. So again, potentially we could have had four different nations heading off to the under-23 3x3 World Cup and the Commonwealth Games."
"Fiji have come out here and really shown that they've been putting in a lot of work with their 3x program, and they've come away with the gold medals in both men and women. So they'll be our representatives at both of those events."
The Fiji men's and women's teams with their gold medals in the inaugural 3x3 basketball competition at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games. 9 July 2025
Photo:
Facebook / Team Fiji
Fiji men's captain Keenan Hughes said the team had come through alot before the Games and the win was icing on the cake for them.
"Still trying to process everything. Obviously, we've had a long two weeks, so just the fact that it's all over and the way that is it's ended, still crazy to think about," Hughes said.
"A lot of early mornings, a lot of long, early mornings, late nights, and just getting to know the team in general.
"We only managed to pull the team together pretty last minute, compared to the rest of the teams, but we're really grateful for our coaches and our managers and everyone back home, supporting, bringing everyone together.
"Obviously, we expected nothing less. Coming into this, we know the standard of Fiji basketball, and we know the standard that we want to hold in the Pacific. And coming into this, it was gold and nothing less than that."
Liebregts said they are full of emotions, reflecting back on what they to go through, in Fiji before making the trip.
"I honestly have no emotions. It's been such a build up," she said.
"We've trained endlessly for these games. And I couldn't be more proud of the girls, and as well as the boys, they've really pushed through. They've overcome so many hurdles, and I couldn't be more proud of them.
"I think if you knew we've been through what we've been through, you wouldn't really think that we would come out with the gold, especially with our last minute changes in the team.
"But I'm so proud, especially of our other two new substitutes that were just that just joined in in the last minute. We thought it'd be a huge hiccup, but in the end, they really brought a good game and came out with the win."
Both captain said they will enjoy the win and begin preparations for the world cup once they are back in Fiji.
And what were your expectations coming into the games? Did you expect that both of your teams would be taking out the gold medals?
"I think it's a pretty big stepping stone for us as as a nation, seeing that we're always looking for regional competitions, and just the fact that we have something to work towards just pushes us in the right direction as a federation and as a team as a whole," Hughes said.
"And I think our preparation over the next couple months will be pretty intense, but we're looking forward to it."
Liebregts said it will be Fiji's first basketball appearance at the Commonwealth Games.
Despite missing out on a gold medals, Tonga's basketball teams their achievements.
The men's team fell just short in the bronze medal match, 21-18, to the host nation Palau, having also lost 21-18 to Fiji in the semi-finals.
"Mālō 'aupito to both teams for representing Tonga with heart, unity, and pride on the court. A proud finish for our basketball 3x3 teams at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau," the Tonga Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee said.
"Our women's team delivered an outstanding campaign, finishing with silver after a tightly contested final against Fiji. Your determination and teamwork throughout the tournament made the Kingdom proud.
"The men's team fought bravely but fell just short in the bronze medal match against host nation Palau. Despite the result, their performance throughout the games has been inspiring.
Mālō 'aupito to both teams for representing Tonga with heart, unity, and pride on the court."
Solomon Islands beat Palau 21-11 in the second men's semi.
In the women's competition, Northern Mariana Islands pipped Papua New Guinea 21-19 to claim bronze.