IN a classic conclusion to the Battle of the Schools Basketball Tournament at the University of Papua New Guinea yesterday, the PM Lakers from Pacific Adventist University made a clean sweep, dominating both the men’s and women’s divisions to claim the 2024 season championship titles.
In the men’s division, the SBPP Eagles put up a strong fight but ultimately fell short, with the PM Lakers edging them out in a close 58-52 victory. Despite the intense competition, the PM Lakers men’s team proved their resilience and determination to secure the win.
Meanwhile, the PM Lakers women’s team delivered an outstanding performance in their grand final match. With solid momentum and unwavering support from the bench, they outplayed the SHSS Scorpions, finishing with a 29-19 victory.
PM Lakers men’s captain, David Timothy, described the game as tough and intense, noting that the team had to overcome minor injuries and adapt to challenges throughout the match.
“Throughout the game, we had some players go down, but we told ourselves that we could do this,” Timothy said after the match.
“We made some mistakes, but we quickly regrouped and adjusted our strategy.”
Women’s team captain, Kalista Kotoveke, shared that this year marked the first time, many of the players participated in such a tournament.
“Bringing the team here was a great opportunity, and I want to commend the UPNG Basketball Association for inviting us,” Kalista said.
“The team has improved a lot since the start of the season, and we’ve built a strong bond through our love for basketball and trust in each other.”
The PM Lakers Basketball team is sponsored by Piksa Ministry, with Mr. Lee Kotoveke playing a key role in sourcing funds and providing team uniforms.
“In all our games and travels, he was there supporting us and ensuring we were ready for each match,” Timothy said.
The team also expressed gratitude to Minister Samuel Vaki and his wife for their support and leadership, which instilled courage and hope in the players throughout the tournament.
Both captains credited their success to the dedication of their teammates and acknowledged the supporters and friends who came out to cheer them on.
