THE defending champions, Adi Cakobau School (ACS), kicked off their Vodafone Fiji Secondary School Basketball National Championships under-19 girls title defense with a hard-fought 17-10 victory over International Secondary School (ISS).
From the opening whistle, the Sawani-based ACS team played a fast-paced, physical game that capitalized on their height and fitness advantage.
Despite missing several star players, ISS showed resilience and gradually grew in confidence as the match progressed, revealing impressive depth within their squad—an asset that will be crucial as the competition unfolds.
ACS player Yalanieta Diloi expressed satisfaction with their strong start but acknowledged areas for improvement. “It was a close match, but we came out on top. We need to work on our communication and passing before the next game,” she said.
The champions’ goal is clear: to defend their title and bring the shield back to Sawani for another year.
For ISS, the loss was a tough lesson but not a deterrent.
Team captain Emilia Loberndan Wood praised her teammates’ effort despite the absence of key players.
“I’m really proud of my girls. We had beaten ACS in the zone, but they came back stronger today (yesterday),” she said.
Looking ahead, ISS is determined to regroup and come back stronger, committed to finishing the tournament on a high note.
