Matila Vocea scored the most points and grabbed the most rebounds in the home side’s 78-61 win over New Caledonia on day one of the 2022 FIBA Melanesia Cup at the Vodafone Arena in Fiji’s capital city of Suva today.
Vocea registered 15 points and 12 rebounds in the game as Fiji takes the early lead in the standings ahead of reigning champs Papua New Guinea who earlier in the day accounted for the Solomon Islands 63-51.
Scoreline aside, Vocea, 22, who plays for Natikula Ballerz said it was a tough match-up with the New Caledonians forcing them to dig deep for the win.
“I am proud that the girls got through it and we came away on top,” she said. “We are happy to be able to deliver the results playing here at home.”
The top two teams from the competition earn qualification into the 2023 Pacific Games which will take place in the Solomon Islands.
Fiji takes on Solomon tomorrow in the final match-up for the day scheduled for a 7.30 pm start while the New Caledonians open the day’s proceeding against PNG at midday.
The competition finishes on Saturday 29 October.
