FIJI men's basketball coach Paul Whippy has named three survivors of the 2007 gold medal winning team in Samoa to defend their Pacific Games title in New Caledonia.

Senior players Frank Saketa, Leonard Whippy and Sakiusa Rokodi are co-captains of the defending champion as they left for Noumea yesterday.

Whippy said it would be a tough job to defend the gold medal. He said he named the players according to their positions.

"I have named the three players so they can lead in their respective positions on the field."

"These three players were part of the winning team in 2007 so their experience will be vital to the new players at this stage," Whippy said.

Kolinio Matalau and Macus Whippy are the other two survivors from the 2007 gold medal win in Samoa.

Whippy added having the services of the five would be a boost to the players.

"This will be a mental battle so we need players that will lead with experience on the court. It will not be easy to defend the title but we are looking forward to it."

Fiji is drawn in Pool Two with Samoa, Papua New Guinea and American Samoa.

Team:

Leonard Whippy, Jese Sikivou, Tui Sikivou, Adrian Bossley, Waymann Whippy, Johnnie Seruvatu, Kolinio Matalau, Sakiusa Rokodi, Frank Saketa, Isikeli Mara, Macus Whippy, Jerad Whippy