2017 FIBA Melanesia Basketball Cup

Both teams are currently undefeated after two days of the 2017 FIBA Melanesia Basketball Cup.

Khalu, who is also the Men’s Head Coach, said PNG has been ready for this challenge.

 “We have so many things in our favour for this tournament.

“Firstly, we’re playing at home, on our home court in front of our family, friends and fans. If we can replicate a similar atmosphere to that of the 2015 Pacific Games, that’s going to be a huge advantage.”

The Pepsi PNG women’s side made it two from two with a 13 point win over New Caledonia.

The women’s results:

Fiji 76 - Solomon Islands 54

Papua New Guinea 61 - New Caledonia 48

It was the same for the Pepsi PNG men’s who were able to fight off a 29 point last quarter from New Caledonia to come out on top, and win their second consecutive game.

The men’s results:

Fiji 70 - Solomon Islands 51

New Caledonia 80 - Papua New Guinea 87

The draws for today:

Women’s: Fiji vs New Caledonia (1pm), PNG vs Solomon Islands (3pm)

The opening match will see the Solomon Islands take on New Caledonia at 1pm. Following this, PNG have a date with Fiji at 3pm. Both are women’s matches.

In the men’s matches later in the afternoon, Fiji play New Caledonia at 5pm, while in the main game, PNG are up against the Solomon Islands starting at 7pm.

The tournament, which will run from September 27-30, will see a total of 16 matches played. Countries participating are Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and PNG.

The 34-year-old veteran recently announced that he will be retiring from international play, following the 2017 FIBA Melanesia Basketball Cup.

Muri’s representative basketball career has spanned fourteen years, with the 196cm forward first representing the country at the 2003 Pacific Games in Fiji.

He also competed in 2011 at New Caledonia before suiting up in the red, black and gold for a third occasion in 2015, this time in Port Moresby.

Betty Angula, Emily Koivi, Cindy Elavo, Marca Muri, Mary Elavo, Nester Sape and Rosa Kairi were all members of the women’s national side that finished in fourth place at the 2015 Pacific Games.

“We felt like we should have won a medal,” Angula said when reflecting on 2015.

“We’ve had two years to think about it and have learned a lot since then. We have really tried to improve on the areas we needed to get better.

“Now we have the opportunity to redeem ourselves at the Melanesia Cup and we’ll be doing our best to finish with a medal this time.”

The two sides will face-off at 6:30pm on Sunday at the Taurama Aquatic & Indoor Centre.

Head coach of the women’s national team, Moi Muri, said it was a good chance for his team to fine-tune leading into next week’s international tournament.

“Our girls have been working very hard in training but need some extra match fitness to make sure we are ready,” Muri said.

“This game will be six versus six, so it will really test the players’ fitness levels.

During the day, over 5,000 people had the chance to get up close with the two hand-carved trophies, taking photos with the silverware and the players.

The tour commenced on Saturday morning at Kaugere before the convoy made stops at Badili, Koki, Ela Beach, Town and Hohola.

The men’s head coach, Joel Khalu, said displaying the trophies to the public was a great way to promote the international event that will be taking place in the last week of September.

“The kids especially, really enjoyed holding the trophies and taking pictures.

In addition, Paradise Beverages have also secured the naming sponsorship of the PNG national men’s and women’s basketball teams that will compete in the international tournament this September.

Paradise Beverages CEO, Michael Shields, presented a cheque valued at K270,000 to BFPNG President, Nick Daroa, at a press conference today at the Taurama Aquatic & Indoor Centre.

Under the partnership, Paradise Beverages will be specifically promoting their ‘PEPSI PNG’ products.

Daroa praised Paradise Beverages for their contribution to basketball.

The final roster of twelve players and three shadow-reserves was announced this week, following the squad’s three-day training camp held in Port Moresby over the weekend.

Veteran’s Emily Koivi, Marca Muri, Mary Elavo Jnr. and Nester Sape bring their hoops knowledge and leadership qualities to the team, while dynamic, PNG crowd favourite Betty Angula has also been named.

This comes after signing a partnership agreement with FIBA (The International Basketball Federation).

This partnership was announced by Executive Director of FIBA Oceania, David Crocker, at the unveiling of the official tournament logo and the launching held recently in Port Moresby.

The tournament will be held from 27 – 30 September 2017, with 16 matches total, and has confirmed participation by men’s and women’s teams from New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.