POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Goroka Snax Souths won the perpetual Pastor Isaac Joseph Shield after narrowly defeating Mendi Menjals 36-29 in the grand final to bag the menís title in the inaugural National Souths Basketball Championships in Mendi, Southern Highlands province, at the weekend.
In the women's division, Kambiri Souths of Mendi upset pre-tournament favourites Mt Hagen Snax Souths 34-29 to bag the trophy and K1,000 cash prize. The women's match which went right down to the wire kept the Momei oval crowd cheering until the final hooter despite being marred by inconsistent refereeing that disappointed the Mt Hagen team. Hagen Souths led by veterans Fernimore Gomia, Regina Kewa, Helen Wama, Sharon Salimogo and Pauline Apua went through the tournament undefeated, beating their opponents by cricket scores only to run out of puff in the decider to a more confident and experienced Kambiri Souths that boasted the likes of seasoned campaigner Elisah Ako, Mope Ore, Tanda Pima, Pauline Momei and up-coming junior Jessie Charles. Diminutive guard Charles who was in devastating form with fast breaks, thrilling ball handling tactics and contributed the most points for her team which enabled her to win the Late Andrew Mano best and fairest player of the tournament award in the women's division while Goroka's Timothy Thomas won in the mens' division.
It was also a hotly contested affair in the mens' division but Snax Goroka with the experiences of Bronson Kusain, Moki Malsan, Job Joe, Steven Kelly, Anta Bobola Michael Nao and Johnny Tombele just managed to edge out the host Menjals. Ever reliable Nelson Wasano with Peter Masi, Peter Paps and Simon Peter tried hard for the Menjals. The tournament that started on Friday attracted 24 teams from Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands and Southern Highlands. Local Mendi MP and tournament patron Ps Isaac Joseph, Wabag's National Court residential judge Nema Yalo and PNG Basketball Federations vice-president Timothy Lepa were on hand to officiate at the games.
Pastor Joseph announced that the provincial government under Governor Anderson Agiru is the major sponsor of the event with a K10,000.
He presented the money on Saturday during the opening ceremony. Pastor Joseph also announced that Mineral Resources Development Corporation and PNG Gaming Board are also the minor sponsors with K5,000 each. Mobile phone provider Digicel also pledged a K2,500 commitment apart from also assistance like preparations of the courts and other logistics.
Courtesy of: www.thenational.com.pg
