The Opening day of the FIBA Melanesian Cup yesterday, concluded with an unforgettable showdown as hosts Solomon Islands secured a historic 70–67 victory over Fiji – their first-ever win against the Pacific basketball powerhouse.
A packed Friendship Hall erupted as the final buzzer sounded, marking a landmark moment for Solomon Islands basketball and a dramatic finish to the first day of action in Honiara.
Both teams came out firing, trading baskets in a high-paced opening quarter that ended 25-22 in Fiji’s favour. The Solomon Islands responded with determination in the second period, going on a 13–0 run to seize momentum and head into halftime with a 40–35 lead.
The second half turned into a fierce back-and-forth battle, with both sides refusing to back down. In a tense final minute, Huatia Tango – who had earlier suffered a scare with a slip – returned to make the decisive layup that gave the hosts a three-point lead with 18 seconds remaining.
Despite strong performances from Fiji’s Tyrone McLennan (19 points) and Joshua Fox (16 points), the Solomon Islands held their ground to clinch a historic triumph.
Max Grantham led the way with a game-high 23 points, adding 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Bart Kirby Basia delivered a standout all-around performance with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and an outstanding 8 steals, including a clutch three-pointer late in the fourth quarter.
The Solomon Islands’ defensive intensity proved decisive, as the team recorded an impressive 17 steals in total.
“It’s a surreal feeling – we came in as underdogs, but we believed in ourselves that we could do this,” said Grantham after the game, giving credit to Basia for his crucial shot down the stretch.
This memorable win not only highlights the team’s progress but also reflects the rapid growth of basketball in the Solomon Islands in recent years.
- FIBA
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