PNG Basketballers raise bar in Honiara

PNG's Betty Angula in action against Fiji. (Image: BFPNG)

The performance of the country's basketball teams (both men and women) in the FIBA Oceania Melanesian Cup this week can't go unnoticed.

The Prime Minister James Marape may have a busy schedule on a daily basis, but as a leader who loves the code, his constantly checking updates from time to time.

"We may have the rugby league games happening here in Moresby and soccer games coming up, but our basketballers are doing us proud in Honiara," the Prime Minister said this when launching the MSG Prime Minister's Football Cup earlier in the week.

The red black and gold colors have been flying high at Friendship Hall in Honiara since Monday when the FIBA Oceania Melanesian Cup started.

Results women:

PNG 99 defeatead Vanuatu 39
PNG 53 defeated Fiji 37
PNG 77 defeated New Caledonia 70
PNG 65 defeated Solomon Islands 23

PNG women's basketball team singing the national anthem with pride before their game. (Image: BFPNG)

Results men:

PNG 99 defeated Vanuatu 99-39
PNG 77 defeated New Caledonia 74
PNG 63 defeated Fiji 56
PNG 78 defeated Solomon Islands 56

PNG men's basketball team celebrating. (Image: BFPNG)

PNG is now seating at the front seat, standing by for the grand final with both the men and women earning four out of four wins.

Considered as favorites, both sides will have to keep their cool and do their best in the grand finals scheulded for tomorrow (Saturday 18th October).

PNG men's captain Apia Muri described their run to the finals as one of their best performances ever in the Melanesian Cup.

"We have improved alot from the 2023 Pacific Games to now and I am happy with the progress," he added.

For the women's, Betty Wong was interviewed after their game with Solomon Islands yesterday and commended her teammates for their efforts.

"We had three tough games heading into our fourth game against Solomon Islands but we had to regroup and play hard as a team,' she said.

Basketball Federation of PNG President David Peter is impressed with the results and referred to the victories over Fiji and New Caledonia as the highlights for PNG in the tournament.

PNG community in Honiara turning up to cheer their team. Image: BFPNG)

'For men division, we beat Fiji who are the current Pacific Cup championships, and we beat New Caledonia who are current Melanesian Cup Championships," he said

"For women division we beat Fiji who are current Melanesian Cup Championships and Pacific Cup Championships."

"The result so far shows that our teams remain true to the mission, and that is to qualify for the Pacific Games which we achieved yesterday," he said.

President David Peter also alluded that their success also comes at the back of their preparations.

Peter added saying that with BFPNG covering the cost of levies for players, the players focused on training and preparations without the burden to worry about levies.