Top two clash in PMBL

 By JACK AMI

TAMARAWS have a point to prove against Exodus in the PNG Men’s Basketball League premier match tonight.

The Moni Plus-sponsored Tamaraws whipping of new comers Moresby West Jokers 90-62 is a warning for Exodus.

This is also the moment of truth for the both teams as they test their strengths especially on offence.

Exodus is one up against the opposition and the Muri connection of Dia, Purari and Apia will control the flow taking on the Parapa brothers Charles and Wally, Robert Kave, Richard Arava and veteran Bernard Elavo.

Both sides also several next generation players on the bench who will called on to carry their side’s hopes.

Exodus coach Moses Koiri in an email said that he would run players that had been consistent in training regardless whether they were his best players or not. This is in line with his focus discipline and commitment, traits that will be invaluable for serious title contenders.

“I have been starting with many different combinations because of the inconsistencies in attendance at training. Ultimately, I want to clean the club of ill-discipline and inconsistent attendance at training by limiting playing time for those that have a bad attitude towards commitment to training and hard work,” Koiri said in the email.

The result of this match will not affect the top two placings on the points ladder as Exodus lead on 12, Tamaraws 8, West Jokers 6, PNG Power Chariots 6 and Lamana Saints 2.

With four games remaining the bottom half of the top four is still up for grabs with Jokers and Chariots the main contenders.

Saints on two points, will need to win all four remaining matches and hope either Jokers or Chariots slip badly to snare a top four berth.

The playoff series shapes up as a marathon for either of the bottom two qualifiers, with a best-of-three series for the semi-finals and the final.

The winner of the 3 vs 4 semi-final series will then play the loser of the 1 vs 2 match up with the winner of this preliminary final then taking on the side that won the 1 vs 2 series.

That means the third or fourth-placed team could play up to nine matches to win the PMBL title. 

On Tuesday night Jokers dropped their second match in a row losing to Chariots 56-54.

It was sweet revenge for Chariots as they worked over time to nail the Westerners in the dying stages.