After finishing last in both the 2017 and 2022 editions of the FIBA Melanesian Cup, the Solomon Islands National Men’s Basketball team is aiming for a much-improved performance as the country prepares to host the regional tournament for the very first time.
This year’s competition will see the top two finishers in both the men’s and women’s categories qualify for the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti.
Speaking to the local media on Thursday, head coach Michael Nao said preparations have been going well, with the players showing a lot of commitment.
“So over the past week, we’ve been very intensive about building our physical readiness and chemistry as a group, and I am encouraged by the effort of all the players that have shown commitment to improving themselves.
“We’ve been emphasizing our fundamentals, conditioning, and plays, and it’s so good to see the younger players stepping up while the senior players continue to lead the team,” he said.
“We’re putting a lot of work in now and we trust that we will perform really well. I won’t put high hopes, but we know that we will do better than in previous years.”
The final team of 12 players are in camp and have intensified preparations with two sessions a day at the Solomon Islands Institute of Sports (SINIS) High-Performance Center.
“There’s a lot we need to cover in the remaining weeks, but we’re confident that we’ll be ready when the time comes.
“I think we’ve been progressing well and the energy is there, the mindset is there. The guys are disciplined and committed in their training,” he added.
With the return of overseas-based players Kalita Maelasi and Max Grantham, Coach Nao said the team has been boosted significantly.
“It’s quite tough trying to get the overseas players to gel with the local players, but as a coach it has been my job to put everyone together, and so far it has turned out really well.
“The overseas players have boosted the team, and the local players have stepped up to the standard we expect as a national team,” he said.
The FIBA Melanesian Cup will make its Solomon Islands debut from October 13-18 at Friendship Hall in Honiara, with both men’s and women’s teams from five countries competing in the Melanesian Sub-Zone qualifiers for the 2027 Pacific Games.
By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
