Port Moresby Elite Basketball Opening Round Tips Off

The Port Moresby Elite Basketball (PEB) competition officially launched its 2025 season on Sunday, April 6th, at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex.

Gracing the occasion were the Prime Minister, Honorable James Marape, Minister for Sports, Honorable Kinoka Feo, Member for Bulolo, Honorable Sam Basil Jr, and other distinguished guests. 

The Minister for Sports and Higher Education, Research, Science, & Technology (DHERST), Honorable Kinoka Feo, opened the season and gave a few remarks, drawing examples from the great Michael Jordan and encouraging the basketball players to set goals, work hard, be disciplined on and off the court.  

The naming rights sponsor of the PEB competition, ExxonMobil PNG’s female representative, said the oil and gas company was happy to continue its support of the elite competition this year, creating opportunities for the hidden basketball talents to expose their skills and have fun.

On behalf of the PEB competition, the President of Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG), David Peter, thanked ExxonMobil PNG for its steadfast support and urged the players to show professionalism and be competitive on the court while appealing to the Sports Minister and the Prime Minister to back the thriving five-men code. 

Straight after the proceedings of the official opening, four exciting men’s games were played. The Togoba Coffee defeated the 3K North-West Wizards, the ACL Kings edged the Triple B, the CivPac Amesii beat the Ultimax, and the Tribes Coffee thumped the Moni Plus Tamaraws, concluding the opening round of the season to a flying start. 

The women’s games will be staged on Wednesday (April 9th) to complete round 1, which will see the Tribes Coffee take on the 3K North-West Wizards, followed by CivPac Amesii versus the Pirates.

Round 2 of the men’s matches will continue on Thursday (April 10th) with a double-header fixture between the ACL Kings and Togoba Coffee, followed by Triple B and CivPac Amesii. Another men’s double-header games will be held next Tuesday (April 15th) between the Moni Plus Tamaraws and 3K North-West Wizards, followed by Tribes Coffee and Ultimax to complete round 2.

PEB Director Lawrence Lahari is pleased with the opening round and expects another tough and competitive season as the teams in the two divisions (men & women) battle for the top honors in their respective categories. 

PC: PEB