THE Warriors are taking a defensive approach to this year's Easter Basketball Championships after a very unpleasant lesson at last year's games. "We went into the tournament with very high hopes but were squashed by the high level of competition that struck us," said Warriors co-captain Peni Sokosoko. "We will take this tournament in stride, we don't want to look straight at making the finals. "Instead we will play every game as it comes. We will not underestimate any team." Former national rep Sokosoko knows a lot about winning after being part of the 2007 South Pacific Games gold medal team. "I know that this tournament will be one of the toughest ever because we have some of the best teams combining," said Sokosoko. Such teams are Suva-Laucala's Saints, who have combined with Freshmen. From Raiwaqa, the Bryceland and Waidonu teams have joined the Warriors and Boston. Many teams will be missing some of the best impact players like Shaq Attaq captain Lai Puamau, Sai-nts' Leonard Whippy and Warriors' Frank Saketa. "We will really miss Frank's presence and Ioane Naivalurua, one of our key players, is also down with a twisted knee. But we will make a good run for it because we have some great and experienced players with us," said Sokosoko. The team consists former national reps Sakinasa Raisevu, Aaron Ah Yuk, Orisi Naivalurua and Joseph Rokovunise. "We are also lucky to have some of the national Under-20s with us. "They will be a great asset to us because they have been training very well and are young and more energetic. "Their presence will be a great advantage to us," said Sokosoko. Most of the under-20 players were part of War-riors development team and are stepping up to the front. "We are looking forward to a very tough and unpredictable tournament," said Sokosoko. THE Warriors are taking a defensive approach to this year's Easter Basketball Championships after a very unpleasant lesson at last year's games. "We went into the tournament with very high hopes but were squashed by the high level of competition that struck us," said Warriors co-captain Peni Sokosoko. "We will take this tournament in stride, we don't want to look straight at making the finals. "Instead we will play every game as it comes. We will not underestimate any team." Former national rep Sokosoko knows a lot about winning after being part of the 2007 South Pacific Games gold medal team. "I know that this tournament will be one of the toughest ever because we have some of the best teams combining," said Sokosoko. Such teams are Suva-Laucala's Saints, who have combined with Freshmen. From Raiwaqa, the Bryceland and Waidonu teams have joined the Warriors and Boston. Many teams will be missing some of the best impact players like Shaq Attaq captain Lai Puamau, Sai-nts' Leonard Whippy and Warriors' Frank Saketa. "We will really miss Frank's presence and Ioane Naivalurua, one of our key players, is also down with a twisted knee. But we will make a good run for it because we have some great and experienced players with us," said Sokosoko. The team consists former national reps Sakinasa Raisevu, Aaron Ah Yuk, Orisi Naivalurua and Joseph Rokovunise. "We are also lucky to have some of the national Under-20s with us. "They will be a great asset to us because they have been training very well and are young and more energetic. "Their presence will be a great advantage to us," said Sokosoko. Most of the under-20 players were part of War-riors development team and are stepping up to the front. "We are looking forward to a very tough and unpredictable tournament," said Sokosoko.

Source: The Fiji Times Newspaper

Wednesday 31st March, 2010