Lae edge Port Moresby in final

By ISAAC LIRI
LAE defeated Port Moresby Black 46-44 in a close and entertaining grand final on Friday to be crowned winners of the Under-15 basketball national championships.
The game went down to the wire as both sides showed remarkable energy in all quarters of the match at the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Centre in Port Moresby.
The hosts had the fighting spirit to come from behind, however, missed opportunities cost them as time ran out.
Lae coach Percy Aaron said his players were first-timers and were hungry to the win.
“We were down at the end of the third quarter so I asked them if they wanted to win,” Aaron said.
“I asked them prove it to themselves.
“I didn’t tell them how to play.
“I just asked them if they wanted to win and that motivated them.”
Aaron said most of their players were from nearby villages in Lae such as Butibam, Yanga and Sipaia, with only a few from town.
He spoke highly of captain Jephan Bousougu as an instrumental figure in their win.
“He really impressed us in this tournament,” Aaron said.
“He came out of his shell.
“In Lae, he’s not really our go-to guy but here he proved to us and I am a bit surprised.”
In the female U15 grand final, Alotau came out on top to defeat Lae 38-30.
Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) president Nick Daroa acknowledged Port Moresby Black, Port Moresby White, Lae and Alotau for participating.
Daroa said it was unfortunate that other provinces did not turn up.
The championships were also a selection trial for the train-on squad for the Oceania U15 Championships to be held in Port Moresby in December.
“Other centres did not turn up due to lack of funding from their own end,” Daroa said.
Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel, who presented the trophies to the winners, said it was good to see teams from outside centres beat Port Moresby.
He also urged BFPNG to run active junior competitions annually.
Train-on squad: Boys; Edwin Kanitaus, Deldelya Jarope, Jordan Abel, Jabez Lucas, Karths Harper, Jabess Malikai, Brown Aihi, Reuben Galang,Jephan Bousougu, Paulus Malikai, Elizah Bonga, Frank Kaisa, Daniel Russel, Kevin Hani, Torres Koiti, Ian Michael, Ethan Tsiamalili, Paitien Smare, Ray Whitchurch, Morea Frank, Harold Elavo Jnr, William Bray, Rueben Kila, Atti Charlie Bradley, Junior Struik. Coach Patrick Ani. Girls; Gloria Kaiawa, Philomena Isel, Sanely Bagelo, Jelena Irofe, Elaine Romea, Liliane Basinuro, Jessica Pege, Bianca Tukayo, Maureen Kai, Julianne Aia, Esther Mannaseh, Haroldyne Ipang, Luan Muri, Rabbie Rawali, Princess Kaore, Philomena Arek, Jessica Kake, Kalista Kotoveke, Lynette Lelai, Alison Kila, Elanoa Davani. Coach Moi Muri