BENGALURU (FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017 - Division B) – For the first time in history Fiji is competing in a FIBA Asia event. The Fiji Women’s national basketball team faced Singapore in the first game of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017 – Division B.

Although Singapore proved too strong for Fiji there are positive signs moving into their next matchup against Lebanon on Monday, 24^th of July at 10pm Fiji time. With nerves out of the way and Mili Koyamainavure joining the team after a late arrival from Australia, we should see a hard fought game. Koyamainavure is in the midst of her rookie season in the South East Australian Basketball League playing for the Launceston Tornadoes.

Bitila Tawake lead Fiji with 8 points and 3 rebounds, Tiyana Kainamoli added 7 points and 10 rebounds. Kainamoli is only 19 years old playing in the senior women’s competition but she is no stranger to international competition. She has represented Fiji at the 2014 FIBA Oceania U18 Championship for Women and FIBA U18 Women’s Oceania Championship 2016.

There is a lot on offer for Fiji at this event, The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2017 – Division B consists of seven (7) teams’ competition for promotion to Division A for the 2019 edition of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup.

This is the first year that any Oceania teams have competed in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup and also for the first time ever, the FIBA Women's Asia Cup – Division A will qualify four (4) teams for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Spain. 

Australia and New Zealand feature in this year’s Division A event as part of FIBA’s new competition system. This is the first time that there is a pathway for Oceania teams outside of Australia and New Zealand to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

Keep up with the latest scores, news and updates of the Fiji team in Bengaluru here: http://www.fiba.com/womensasiacup/2017/divisionb