ADI Cakobau School (ACS) produced a composed performance on day two of the 2026 Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Basketball Championship, edging St Joseph’s Secondary School 20–16 to secure a place in today’s under-19 semifinals.
The defending champions were pushed throughout the final pool match, but ACS held its ground against a determined St Joseph’s outfit to finish the day with a crucial victory.
The four-point result keeps ACS firmly in the hunt for another championship, with the semifinal stage now providing the next test in their title defence.
ACS coach Anna Rose was pleased with the way her players handled the pressure of the contest.
“It wasn’t an easy game, it was a tough game against St. Joseph, but I’m really glad the girls did it. I’m very proud of them,” Rose said.
For Rose, the result was a reward for the team’s commitment to training and discipline throughout the tournament.
“It’s just all about training and listening, discipline, most importantly it’s just discipline,” she said.
With the semifinals scheduled for today, Rose said the team would use the short turnaround to recover and identify areas that need improvement from yesterday’s match.
“Maybe we’ll try and improve on our game today. If there’s any mistakes that we’ve done, we are witnesses and we’ll try and work it out again tomorrow,” she said.
The coach said the players must now take responsibility when they step onto the court.
“Everything they’ll do tomorrow will be based on them,” she said.
“Because we’re not the ones playing inside the court, it’s just them.”
Rose brings her own experience of the ACS program into the campaign, having been part of last year’s team that won the U19 title. She is now helping guide the current squad as they attempt to retain the crown.
She also acknowledged the support from ACS Old Girls, teachers and parents who have backed the team throughout the championship.
ACS will now move into the knockout stage, with the U19 semifinals to be played today at the Vodafone Arena, where they will look to turn yesterday’s hard-fought win into another step towards defending their title.
