Hosts score double over Nauru

 PAPUA New Guinea scored double victories over Nauru in the men’s and women’s basketball competition last night.

The men outplayed their opponents 97-35, and the women did likewise 88-46, to secure spots in the top six and four respectively.

The victories came in front of a packed home crowd at the Taurama Aquatic Centre.

The PNG men finished on the top of pool B with six points with a better points differential than Fiji and New Caledonia

PNG now has a chance to qualify for a medal playoff  but would have to win its matches.

The men’s will play five matches in the six-team competition and women’s three-in-four team challenge that will determine the medals playoffs.

In the men’s, PNG imports Martineng Leahy, Aaron Farmer and Wright brothers Liam and Lloyd coordinated and executed the right option with their local connections to go on power drive.

But head coach Joel Khalu gave the opportunity for the locals to complete the game to the final hooter. PNG had the quarters 19-5, 42-17, 72-30 and wrapped it up with another 25 points to end the night on colourful note.

It was guard Gabriel Elavo’s night with a high of 28 points which included four three pointers out of 10 attempts.

Lloyd scored 14, Apia Muri 13 and Moses Lune 12.

For the opposition, Heine Joeson top-scored with 12 and Marcus Paul with 10 — and though the unit were outplayed, they enjoyed the game.

In the women’s, PNG’s Betty Angula, Rosa Kairi, veterans Nape Waka and Louisa Wallace all potted 16 points each and captain Maka Muri 12.

PNG were too classy and strong for Nauru, leading all quarters 27-10, 43-19, 62-32 and chipped in another 26 points to shut out the opposition.

Today will be the moment of truth when the top six in the men’s and top four in the women’s clash to determine their spots after the cross -over competition. Other results: New Caledonia 73 Solomon Is 50. Tahiti 67 Guam 54. Fiji 81 American Samoa 73. Tahiti 99 Kiribati 61.