Exodus face threat from West, Chariots on fire

 By JACK AMI

EXODUS’ winning streak will be put to test by Moresby West Jokers at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex tonight.

The papua New Guinea Men’s Basketball League pacesetters are in form and are expected to have too much for the predominantly young Jokers.

Exodus’ Muri sibling connection of Dia, Apia, Purari and Bomai as well as guard Peter Davani on paper have too much class and experience over their rivals.

The West men will be led Joe Elavo who is the Jokers trumph card but he will need 100% commitment from his young brigade to pull an upset. 

Support will come from brother Harold returning after a three-week absence due to injury. 

He will add extra power  and grit to the starting five. 

Youngsters Soi Moses Benny, Garry Suve Holmes, Daniel Aila Kone, Tom Mare, Alu Pundu and 16-year-old Ali Aila Polo have to step up again against more experienced foes.

In the first round Exodus beat Jokers by three points. They are aware that opposition has no fear for the established franchises in the five-team competition and fancy themselves as a good chance of making the top four and a playoff spot.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday night Propest Chariots shocked PNG Ports Saints 84-71 to sneak to the fourth place after Round 5.

Chariots veteran Roy Gime along with Ivano Ivano, Elwyn Salesi, Morris Vele, Ivan Pakaea and another old timer in Morris Asiba played smart and kept their nerve to get a 13-point win.

The opposition had new recruit Paiwa Baldwin from Brisbane, Tony Haro, Kala brothers Sibona and Donald but gave up too big a deficit in the first three quarters to chase down the Chariots.

In other basketball news, the PMBL’s final 12-man squad for the National All Stars championship in Lae later this year will be finalised soon.

Training is progressing well with the 30-member train-on squad vying for 12 places.