Epari Kuare bag first title with win over Mix Mates

By LARRY ANDREW
FOURTEEN months of training paid off for Giru Epari Kuare Souths when they claimed the National Souths Basketball League (NSBL) men’s championship with a 35-22 win over Mt Hagen’s Mix Mates in the final in Lae on Monday.
In the women’s final, Original Souths defeated Lae’s Reunion Souths 35-29.
Pangia’s Epari Kuare played impressive basketball over the last four days to finish their pool matches undefeated before locking horns with Mix Mates.
The first quarter was in favour of Epari Kuare, who took a 6-4 lead.
Watched by Lae residents and NSBL patron Johnny Yawari, the game intensified with both teams using their attacking skills to penetrate each other’s defence to score points.
At halftime, Epari Kuare were in the clear with an 18-8 lead.
Epari Kuare’s Soma Irale, Dan Dara and Ipson Ruku went on a shooting spree and never look back as they added six points to Mix Mates’ nine for a 24-17 lead in the third quarter.
With the seven-point deficit Mix Mates, regrouped to penetrate Epari Kure’s defence.
But the Pangia outfit, under the guidance of former national representative and coach Simon Dixie, had other ideas as they outclassed their Mopponents to bag 11 points to Mix Mates’ five to claim their maiden NSBL title.
Dixie told The National that it was their first time to compete in the tournament.
He said most of his players were unemployed.
“I have been playing for so many years but decided help develop talent at the village level. And to bring them to such a big tournament has been an exciting experience,” Dixie said.
“I told them that experience was not the answer.
“Skills and talent will determine their success in the sport.
“Our commitment and discipline had brought us to this tournament.
“We would like to thank our sponsor Giru Construction Company for backing the team to participate in the tournament.
“This is a big boost for our sponsor and players.”