Nainima stars in victory

THE 3-on-3 basketball competition last Saturday saw the Offsprings walk away as winners after they hammered Blazers 57-42. The team was made of American-based player and 2007 gold medal winning South Pacific Games women's captain Valeria Nainima and national reps Agnes Sokosoko and Mareta Mani from the Wednesday Crew. Three-point expert Nainima was shooting NBA-style shots that left most of the other teams gaping in awe. Her fast movements and quick predictions of rebounds where exceptional as Nainima seemed to always be in the right place at the right time. Friends and playing mates, Sokosoko and Mani were also in great shape as they expertly drove through the Blazers defence to make incredible baskets. In the men's division, Freshmen had a close game against the Buffalos which was made up of Mighty Mights players and under-20 national players, 43-41. However, the young boys were beaten by the expertise behind Freshmen's Jese Sikivou, Wayman Whippy and Colin Watlin. The young Buffalos team, led by Isireli Vuetibau, however, gave the Freshmen a run for their money. Eighteen teams featured in last Saturday's competition with six women's and 12 men's teams. Basketball Fiji development officer Laisiasa Puamau was pleased with the competition and with the Raiwaqa Basketball Players Association who were in partnership in hosting the competition. "The skills that were displayed were very high and teams are catching the new concept of the 3-on-3 game strategy," said Puamau.

Fiji Times Newspaper

Tuesday 25th May, 2010