The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) announced its trimmed-down squads for both men and women - featuring 3x3 U23, 3x3 open divisions - and 5x5 divisions on Monday, January 13th, 2025, at the Taurama Aquatic & Indoor Center in Port Moresby.
BFPNG President David Peter, flanked by 3x3 head coach for open men’s & women’s teams, and acting executive officer Nick Daroa, revealed the names of the players who have retained their spots.
Following the conclusion of the National All-Stars Championships hosted in Goroka from December 5-7 last year, the trials were held in Port Moresby, with the cream of the crop from the aforementioned divisions selected.
With over 50 players vying to cement their spots in various categories mentioned, over 20 players have been dropped, with further trimming to be made in a few weeks.
BFPNG will have a very busy year as it ramps up the organization’s plans to attend a couple of regional and international tournaments - such as the upcoming 3x3 Asia Cup, Palau Pacific Mini Games - and traditional 5x5 Melanesian Cup.
President Peter stressed that the BFPNG selectors had gone through a rigorous or painstaking process to select the best players from every region to represent the country for the forthcoming international tournaments or championships this year.
“I’m very pleased to announce the lists. It’s a long list, but it shows that we are in the process of trimming down the lists, and we want to select the best team for the country to go out there and represent us,” Peter emphasized.
“We’ve actually gone out to most parts of the country, and the lists that we have are coming from different regions in the country, which I’m very pleased with. The process has been rigorous in a way that we try to follow the selection criteria.
“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done, but we’ve given our very best to ensure that the selection is fair, transparent, and equitable, giving everyone a chance to showcase themselves.”
Coach and acting executive officer Daroa echoed the similar sentiments shared by president Peter and expressed satisfaction, having faith and belief in the players who were selected to represent the country.
For the 5x5 teams (men & women) president Peter mentioned that they would hold the trials at the end of January or early February, while the 3x3 trial is scheduled to be staged from January 25-26.
As the date for the 3x3 Asia Cup looms in March, the selectors have named 12 players each for the men’s and women’s divisions, but the number of players is expected to be trimmed down to 4 in each division, with 2 non-traveling reserves, respectively.
Meanwhile, the names of the trimmed-down selected players from their respective categories are as follows:
3x3 U23 Men - Reginald Lelnge (NCD), Allan Millard (NCD), Malcolm Maliaki (NCD), Adam Maikai (NCD), Morea Elavo Jr (NCD), Darren Parangkei (Madang), Logan Nagi (NCD), Givton Lama (NCD), Brown Philip (Lae), Joseph Gorogo (Alotau), Simeon Ttopoqogo (Aiyura), Hunter Bobola (NCD), and Jabez Lucas (Alotau).
3x3 U23 Women - Gloria Kaiawa, Nauna Lynette Lelai, Lynette Tongia, Gibella Maikai, Carmillia Konaha, Shaneldah Parangkei, Shantel Mope, Emmanuvella Sine, Alice Mea, Lahui Hekwa, Cayla Ham, Vasti Ham, and Philomena Isei.
3x3 Open Men - Moses Lune (NCD), Sibona Kala (NCD), Sydney Dobunaba (NCD), Moses Kairi (NCD), Ryan Tetemo (NCD), Jabez Geita (NCD), Augustine Kaupa (NCD), Obert Muri (NCD), Ipai Willie (NCD), Jordan Geasa (Lae), Epson John (Mt Hagen), and Emmanuel Bryant (Lae).
3x3 Open Women - Betty Angula, Hennah Kuimb, Jacky Asiba, Hennah Kalua, Norma Dobunaba, Betina Dobunaba, Jonitha Warabe, Ann Kave, Michaelyn Ham, Mary Simon, Jemina James, and Lucianne Kalinoe.
5x5 Men (East Side Selection) - Apia Muri (NSBL), Cornelius Muri (NSBL), Allan Millard (NSBL), Eddie Moses (NSBL), Morea Elavo (NSBL), Fred K (Black Sambo), Adam Maikai (Kikori), Inan S (Kikori), Robin Kepa (Simbu), Emmanuel Solulu (Aiyura), Dedeiya Jarope (Alotau), Richard Aba (MHCBL), John Wina (Epari Kuare), Roger Sabadi (Goroka), Collin Pine (NSBL), Arnold Makis (MHCBL), Lucas Aba (MHCBL), Emmanuel Dicks (MHCBL), Jaymari Raki (Epari Kuare), Zachariah Omae (Aiyura), Lance Narop (Madang), Tokena Pinipe (Black Sambo), Sikina Sakia (Kikori), Toru Kupulu (Kikori), Kori Kehena (Aiyura), and Kamat Muri (Goroka).
5x5 Women (East Side Selection) - Anna Moses (NSBL), Cynthia Baia (NSBL), Gina Alphonse (Epari Kuare), Jonitha Warabe (NSBL), Serah Yawasing (Madang), Marianne Y (Black Sambo), Philomena Isei (Alotau), Maria K (Kikori), Hadasha M (Goroka), Jenny Paul (Epari Kuare), Felicity H (Simbu), Vera D (Black Sambo), Nesta Sape (Madang), Vernelma Toukma (Alotau), Christy B (MHCBL), Lisandra Tomerop (MHCBL), Jemina James (MHCBL), Naomi Jack (MHCBL), Alice Nelson (Epari Kuare), Ruby N’dranoi (Goroka), Gloria Kaiawa (Alotau), Vincelyn Vekao (Madang), Gibella Maikai (Kikori), Jacinta Ekali (Kikori), Nema Paul (Kikori), Ann Kave (Aiyura), Michaelyn Ham (Aiyura), Emily Lialu (NSBL), Elina Yala (NSBL), and Josephine K.
5x5 Men (West Side Selection) - Ryan Tetemo, Eddie Moses, Purari Muri, Benaiah John, Moses Kairi, Harold Elavo Jr, Augustine Kaupa, Anderson Hewe, Michael Henry, Morea Elavo Jr, Moses Lune, Tony Haro, Sibona Kala, Jabez Geita, Esau Horo, Christian Pang, Liam Wright, and Lloyd Wright.
5x5 Women (West Side Selection) - Rosa Kairi, Normalisa Dobunaba, Cindy Elavo, Betina Dobunaba, Clarice Hane, Maggie Kevin, Serah Yawasing, Ozmah Legas, Jacky Asiba, Betty Angula, Hennah Kuimb, Theresa Peruka, Hennah Kalua, Maggie Evo’o, Betty Wong, and Victoria Kolgia.
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