PNG edge Fiji to reclaim FIBA Melo Cup

Papua New Guinea pulled off a thrilling 68-61 victory over Fiji to secure their second championship in the 2025 FIBA Melanesian Cup Men’s Gold Medal Playoff on Saturday, 18th October, at Friendship Hall in Honiara, Solomon Islands. 

The inaugural 2017 champions and 2022 runners-up (PNG) marched back to the final undefeated, powered by the leadership of Apia Muri, Moses Apiko, and Purari Muri, supported by rising stars, such as Cornelius Muri, Anderson Hewe, Harold Elavo Jr, and Morea Elavo, to name a few.

Fiji took things under control in the first and second quarters of the final, but PNG regrouped in the third quarter to shut down the determined Fijians in the final quarter with a grandstand finish, leaving the fans on the edge of their seats. 

PNG flexed their championship pedigree in the five-day FIBA Melanesian Cup and took the tournament by storm, remaining unbeaten in the round robin games until the final to walk away with their second title after eight years. 

Not only did the PNG men’s team win the 2025 FIBA Melo Cup, but two of the team’s consistent performers, Apia Muri and Moses Apiko, were named in the All-Star Five, with Apiko also scooping the Player of the Tournament.

Interestingly, Apia Muri made the 2025 FIBA Melo Cup All-Star Five for the fourth time, becoming the first Papua New Guinean basketball player to achieve this honor on the regional stage.  

In addition, the PNG women’s team also had an undefeated run but fell short to Fiji in the Gold Medal playoff, settling for the Silver Medal. Lynnette Tongia and Jackie Asiba were also named in the FIBA Melo Cup All-Star Five alongside Apia Muri and Moses Apiko, capping off Team PNG’s campaign on a high note.

The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) President, David Peter, congratulated the men’s team for being crowned the 2025 FIBA Melo Cup Champions, including the women’s team, who finished as runners-up, as well as the coaching staff and team management.  

President Peter also commended the major sponsor, Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited (KMHL), Prime Minister James Marape, BFPNG Patron Charles Abel, and other people behind the scenes for making the 2025 FIBA Melanesian Cup a success story for PNG basketball.     

Meanwhile, both PNG men’s and women’s basketball teams made their presence felt in the 2025 FIBA Melanesian Cup hosted in the Solomon Islands and booked their tickets for the upcoming 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti. 

PC: Solomon Islands Basketball Federation