Lae champs to host Southern Flames in exhibition match

LAE Basketball Association (LBA) five-time champions Butibum Bees host six-time Papua New Guinea Men’s Basketball League (PMBL) premiers Southern Flames in an exhibition match at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Indoor Complex tomorrow.
The match comes after a month where both teams secured consecutive titles with Bees defeating Unitech Bulls and Flames defeating Moni Plus (formerly Tamaraws).
Unitech Bulls mentor Nelson Thom, who arranged the match, said it was an opportunity to develop the sport in Mamose.
“It is games like this that move the sport forward,” Thom said. “There is a lot of talent in Lae and this is part of exposing them.”
“I thank the Bees and Flames for agreeing to play the match. Many people said it couldn’t be done but it has been done and now we have two champion teams playing each other here.
“I thank LBA and PMBL for supporting this initiative. I want the game to reach smaller associations. Only then will the game grow.
“Only then will the national basketball team select a strong side which is not Port Moresby-dominated.
“All associations must play at the same level and see where we are compared with PMBL.
“That is the importance of this match. Winning or losing is not important. What is important is that basketball grows not only in Port Moresby or Lae but everywhere in the country.”
Thom said the match was arranged via a club-to-club approach and not sanctioned by LBA or the Basketball Federation of PNG.
“We are trying out this concept and if it works, we will talk with the federation,” he said. “I brought my team Unitech Bulls to Aiyura and Ramu last year on a similar arrangement and the benefits were massive for our club and these smaller associations.”
Thom said financial assistance was needed to make the match happen and they were calling on business houses and individuals in Lae and Port Moresby to support the initiative.
“Everything costs money but I am confident businesses in Lae will support this to make it a successful event,” he said.