Papua New Guinea women despite having only one sub­stitute on the bench secured their first win 63-51 against Solo­mon Islands in the FIBA Melane­sian Cup opener at the Vodafone Arena, Suva yesterday.

At the final whistle, emotional head coach Lewa Hani said they could only bring over six players for their first match due to financial challenges.

“Getting six players and to have foul trouble is nerve wrecking but we pulled through and I thank God for it,” a teary Hani said.

“I am proud of these six women, they have set the pace. I think the six players who are on their way would be so proud of them. It’s an amazing feeling.

“I should give all glory to God be­cause we could not have done it without His grace.

“I had to look at individual players’ experience and exposure at interna­tional matches; most of them were in the last Melanesian Cup – that was how I selected them to be the first six to come to Fiji.”

The other six members to make up the 12-member team were due to ar­rive last night.

The former national captain was selected to coach the women’s side three weeks ago.

“I had to work to know these wom­en personally and get these players motivated.”

The defending champions were dominant and led in all the quar­ters. They took a 12 point lead in the first quarter with 17-9, 22-6 at half time then 39-15 in the last quarter.

Solomon Islands won the third quarter, 19-9 and narrowed the score 48-34, but PNG was then well ahead.

“We needed to hold on and play smart; foul where it is necessary and not unnecessarily because it’s about playing smart and strategi­cally,” she said.

“COVID-19 brought numerous challenges.

“We are going to take one game at a time.”

PNG women’s second match is against New Caledonia at 12pm to­day.

Defending men’s champion PNG lost 65-77 to Solomon Islands.

Fiji and New Caledonia men’s and women’s played last night after this edition went to press.

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