A `NET' GAIN FOR THE COUGARS TONGA-BORN TULI GIVES A STRONG EFFORT.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

VALENCIA - When Siosi Tuli is on her game, plenty of good things can be said about her.

Tuli, a 6-foot-1 forward who was a All-Western State Conference honorable-mention selection last season, was at her best when she took over the final five minutes of a 69-61 victory over Ventura, the state's top-ranked team, on Dec. 29. She led COC with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

But since then, Tuli has had several subpar performances, landing her on the bench. She is the first to admit she's not always the player she can be.

``I see it too,'' she said. ``Sometimes I sit on the bench and I'm like `I don't know why I'm playing like this.' ''

Tuli entered COC with only one full year of basketball experience at the high school level. She actually had more experience playing net ball, a game she played before coming to the United States from the Southern Pacific island of Tonga.

As a junior, Tuli played the game as part of a program at St. Bridget Church in Van Nuys. Net ball is played to keep the Tongan culture alive, and keeping youngsters out of trouble.

Though net ball and basketball are only vaguely similar, Tuli said it has helped her become a better basketball player.

There is no dribbling and no backboards behind the nets, and net ball tends to accommodate more physical contact. The concept of fouling does not exist.

``They don't believe in it,'' Tuli said.

When she visited Tonga - where the game is often played on dirt - Tuli noticed the legs of female net-ball players were scarred by cuts and bruises.

So, with the encouragement of her mother, at one time one of Tonga's best net-ball players, Tuli has become a more aggressive basketball player. She is averaging 11.3 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, and has 36 assists and 27 steals.

``It's scary how good she can be,'' coach Greg Herrick said. ``She just needs to be a little bit more consistent.''

Herrick said Tuli is the best interior passer he's ever coached, and attributes her skill in that area to her experience in net ball.

``If she has a good game, then we win. She brings up the whole team,'' guard Natalie Avanecy said. ``Usually when we lose, she didn't have a good game.

``She's very important to this team and she knows it.''

``When she's on her game it sort of makes everybody want to play harder and better,' said forward Ofolangi Mailangi, Tuli's cousin.

Tuli said she understands the pressure that comes with her role as a leader, though at times it makes her uncomfortable.

``I've never been in a spot like this,'' she said. ``It's a shock to me, I'm not used to it.''

Tuli hopes to play for a Division I program next year, and puts the University of Hawaii, Tennessee, and Connecticut among her top choices. But she said she'll be happy to compete at any four-year program.

One obstacle is academics, which Tuli admitted was not her strong suit. Still, she is appreciative of the support her coaching staff has given her.

``Education comes before basketball, and they've let me know that,'' said Tuli, who has been sent to the coach's office during practices on occasion to complete homework assignments.

COC assistant coach Harlan Perlman can hardly wait to see her put the whole package together.

``She doesn't understand how much ability she has. She has as much ability as any player we've had here.

``She's really good now,'' Perlman said, ``but when she understands that, she'll take (her game) to a whole other level.''

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Hard-working Siosi Tuli is a leading scorer and rebounder for the College of the Canyons women's basketball team.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News