Pang eager to be part of PNG men’s basketball team

By ISAAC LIRI
TWENTY-year-old Christian Pang is eager to be part of the Papua New Guinea men’s basketball team.
After making contact with national coach Joel Khalu and Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea president Nick Daroa and with some encouragement from Brisbane-based PNG players, Pang is now putting his hand up for Papua New Guinea.
The Brisbane-born basketballer is eligible to play for Papua New Guinea through his parents who are both based in the country.
His mother runs Rapopo Plantation Resort and his dad runs the Moresby Betting Shop as well as the Sanctuary Resort Hotel and Spa.
His elder brother Adrian Pang is a professional mixed martial artist who has always paid homage to his PNG roots by proudly wearing the PNG flag on his shorts.
“I return to Papua New Guinea regularly and would be proud to represent my country, my parents are third generation PNG and are from Rabaul,” Pang said.
“During primary school I lived in Sunnybank and Samford in Queensland and every school holiday I would travel back to Moresby.
“For high school I boarded at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill. Being a sporting school, Joeys really helped me become more disciplined and efficient with my time,” the 193com guard added.
Pang is currently studying sports management at the Griffith University whilst playing for the South West Metro Pirates.
“Playing for the South West Metro Pirates in the Queensland Basketball League has really contributed to my sporting development.
“I am hoping to bring my experience, enthusiasm and strong work ethic to the Papua New Guinea team.
“I feel like I can bring shooting, defence and hustle to the team.
“But I’m happy to do whatever the coach and team needs me to do.
“Whether it be guarding point guards to centres, being an energy guy or leading, I’ll do anything for the team to win.
“I also pride myself on being a good teammate.
“It would be a great honour to represent Papua New Guinea, a place I have always regarded as my country and home.
“I hope to be given the opportunity to contribute to help grow and develop the game to yet another level,” he added.