BY CHRIS ALEX
THE head coach of the men’s basketball team for the Solomon Islands, Bryce Masaea, showed appreciation for his team’s performance against Guam. Despite losing 87-53 to the opposition at Friendship Hall in front of the home crowd for the Sol2023 XVII Pacific Games,
Bryce acknowledged that despite losing last night, the team showed what it was capable of and thanked his players for their unwavering effort.
“Our boys’ performance shows that even though we didn’t win, we still have room for improvement.
“It’s just the beginning, and if we keep going forward with a strong resolve, we can improve going forward.
“May I commend the players for their exceptional effort? In spite of the difficulties, they faced opponents who were more experienced and well-known worldwide,” Bryce told RAW SPORTS.
In their last Group A match, the national basketball team now exits the men’s basketball medal competition of the Sol2023 Pacific Games. On Thursday, November 23, at 12 p.m., they will play Tonga for the 7th and 8th place spots.
Bryce also expressed his sincere gratitude to the people who showed up in large numbers to support the team in its last game against a resolute Guam.
He later drew attention to how important it is for the relevant authorities to provide support in order to grow basketball in the nation.
He underlined how important it is to send players abroad to experience international competition and return with invaluable experience that will improve the team’s performance in subsequent tournaments.
Bryce also insisted that the young players be put on the proper developmental path and urged an early start to the training process in preparation for the next games.
He recommended starting a basketball academy and emphasized that this endeavor would require the backing of the appropriate authorities.
In his post-match analysis, Bryce noted that the loss was a clear reminder that the nation’s basketball program needs to be improved.
In order to strengthen basketball in the nation, he underlined the importance of starting at the local level.
Bryce took a moment to commend the players for their exceptional effort in spite of the difficulties, pointing out that they faced opponents who were more experienced and well-known worldwide.
To create the conditions for a better future for Team Solomon, he called on responsible organizations to act and provide funding for the growth of basketball in the nation.
