Tamaraws made to work for win

 PNG Men’s Basketball League champions Moni Plus Tamaraws were taken to the wire by newcomers Moresby West Jokers before winning 102-99 at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex on Tuesday night.

This second round match was a high quality affair and both teams could well meet again in the competition’s final series.

The quarter by quarter scoring had Tamaraws leading comfortably by six points 31-25 and 26-20 for a halftime lead of 57-45. But Jokers surged back to outscore water buffalos in the last two quarters 22-20 and 32-25 (54-45).

Jokers guards Garry Suve Holmes, Daniel Aila Kone, Elavo brothers Joe and Harold missed crucial free throws that would have changed the outcome.

Tamaraws based their victory on the experience of guard Robert Kave and while Charles Parapa, who is home from a stint in the Philipines, made a useful cameo. 

In the final minutes of the fourth quarter, Parapa, Colin Travertz, Dodong Elavo, Emmanuel Parapa and Kave were fouled out heaping pressure on the remaining Tamaraws on court.

Charles Parapa scored 19 while Gabriel Elavo 16, Colin Travertz 15, Wally Parapa 15 and Dodong Elavo 14, also contributed to the total. 

For the West end boys Joe Elavo and Aila Kone each shot a game high 22 and Tom Mare 19, Harold Elavo 13, Holmes Suve 13 and Soi Beni 11 all got in double figures.

Tamaraws coach Boyet Daroya said it was one of the best games so far with a lot of intensity from the senior players putting their bodies on line. 

He praised Jokers for their second half recovery which tested his side’s composure.

Jokers coach Fred Elavo said the result would have been different had his side made their free throws.

Captain Harold Elavo added that the match had given his young teammates a tremendous amount of confidence. 

Jokers youngsters Aila Kone, Suve Holmes, Alu Pundu and Tom Mare have so far taken on the challenge of the PMBL.