Teams test recruits’ mettle in city basketball

 THE PNG Men’s Basketball League premier division competition bounces off at the Filipino Association PNG club house at Gordon this weekend.

Tomorrow’s main fixture will be a replay of last year’s grand final as  champions Exodus battle it out with Tamaraws.

Tamaraws have lost two key players, centre Robert Kave to Chariots and Charles Parapa to new team Flames, but have picked up big-time in former Exodus centre Apia Muri.

He will support the Elavo brothers Don, Gabriel and Wally Parapa against his old team.  Champions Exodus will be led by Dia Purari and Peter Davani in bombarding the opposition’s hoop.

Losing Apia (Muri) to Tamaraws, Purari (Muri) and Moses Lune to Flames has affected the team’s defence for the crown.

On Sunday, the first match will be between a youthful Moresby West Jokers and new comers Flames.

West Jokers, filtered with young blood in guards Gary Suve, Tom Mare, forward Daniel Aila Kone and centre Ali Aila Polo, will gamble against all odds.

Veterans Soi Beni and Brian Arisa will support the youngsters in their own style of offence.

Flames have recruited well with former Jokers Joe Elavo, Tamaraws Charles Parapa, Exodus Purari Muri and Moses Lune to team up with a host of Southern Highlanders to strength the team.

It will be an interesting match as the youngsters test the opposition’s big buys in Elavo, Parapa, Muri and Lune. 

The day’s main challenge will be a toss-up as Chariots test the mettle of the Saints acrobatic Sibona Kala and company.