Despite the Fiji Pearls’ finishing fifth at the PacificAus sports series last week, Alisi Naiqiri stood out.

The Vatutu, Nadi defender was awarded the series Most Valuable Player.

Naqiri played in all Fiji’s five games and was crucial at the semicircle with her defending and winning rebounds. Naqiri had captained the Fiji Pearls in the Oceania World Cup qualifier in March.

She is also part of the side preparing for the Singapore nations Cup in December. Meanwhile Tonga’s Hulita Veve took out the Grand Final Most Valuable Player. Tonga won the series after beating Samoa 69-43 and winning all their five matches.

The Fiji Pearls side finished off the PacificAus Sports Series on a high note defeating USC Thunder 54-50 but that was not good enough as they settled for fifth spot at the event after suffering defeats in three earlier games. Their other win was against Papua New Guinea, they lost to Samoa, Tonga and the Australia Pathways teams.

Tonga finished top of the standings after the round robin competition followed by Samoa and the Australian Pathway teams. The USC Thunder finished fourth while the PNG Pepes were the only team without a win and they took the wooden spoon.

Story By: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj