PNG men settle for volleyball bronze

PNG men’s volleyballers won the bronze medal after defeating hosts New Caledonia 3-1 (25/8, 25/2, 22/25, 25/20) at Arene de Sud in Paita on Friday.
The victory gave PNG volleyball its first ever medal at the Pacific Games.
The Arafura Games champions started off on a high note winning the two opening sets but could not stop New Caledonia coming back in the third set.
The  fourth and deciding set went down to the wire but it was good support play by Vabukori recruits that saw them win the game.
Skipper Ravu Mahuru, spikers Loi Walo, Tuksy Maino, Richard Kila and setter Gia Kapa set the foundation for the victory.
After losing to Tahiti in the semi-finals, the PNG boys certainly knew where their weakness were and picked up from there to beat the New Caledonians.
The hosts had Francky Martin, Jean-Patrick Iwa and Christopher Suve trying their best but PNG put in an extra effort to win the final set and the bronze medal.
Coach, Tommy Lui, said it was an awesome moment for them.
“We aimed for the gold and could have played for it but it didn’t work out the way we wanted to so we focused on the bronze and I’m so happy with the result and so proud of the boys.”