Young Elavo keen to continue family’s love for basketball

By JACK AMI
Young basketballer Morea Elavo Jr is keen on making a name for himself as he carries on his family’s passion for basketball, the sport they have arguably dominated for years.
Elavo — the younger brother of former Papua New Guinea international Gabriel (Elavo) — at 14 is matching the older players in dribbling, shooting and driving.
The Ted Diro Primary School eighth grader, from Gulf and Central, knows what it takes to emulate Gabriel and the others before him.
His family members Maurice, Fred, Mary and Bernard were all international players.
The late Maurice was a massive influence on his siblings in basketball from the 1970s and 1990s.
Elavo said his grandfather Bernard, who was the Tamaraws coach, introduced him to the sport.
Tamaraws, now Moni Plus, was considered a family team established by former PNG coach Boyet Daroya.
“I first played for Tamaraws in the U15 competition at Port Moresby Basketball courts at Hohola 2009 when I was only six years old,” Elavo said.
“My grandfather and Gabriel helped me along the way which made it easy for me at training.”
During a three-on-three exhibition match at the Water Front recently, he played for Hohola boys team with cousins Harold Elavo Jr, Frank Keisa and Martin Ben who were too strong for the opposition comprising Philippine youngsters.
“I’m very fortunate that I can play good basketball because I learned it from an early age and have an advantage over the other youngsters,” Elavo said.
Elavo said he was a shooting guard like Gabriel, Bernard and Fred.
“To play skillfully and smart, I commit myself at training to progress in life,” Elavo said.
“My grandparents, Gabriel, and cousins Harold, Joe, Mary and Cindy represented the country and I hope to follow in their footsteps one day.
“I’m excited about the Fiba U15 Oceania Championships to be held in Port Moresby in December.
“I’m looking forward to hopefully representing my country.
“My parents Frank and Ruth are always there for me when my play, so I’d like to thank them for their support.”