PORT MORESBY (Papua New Guinea) – The Basketball Federation Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) have begun their preparations to defend their two FIBA Melanesia Cup titles later this year.

BFPNG announced a training squad for both their men’s and women’s teams in early January, with both squads undergoing extensive physical testing with High Performance Sport PNG last week.

The squads are loaded with experience, with many players returning following the 2019 Pacific Games and the FIBA Melanesia Cup 2017, where both PNG teams lifted the trophy on home soil.

The men's squad is loaded with talent including the Muri and Wright brothers, who along with Mati Leahy have been the core group of leaders for the national men's program. 

On the women's side, PNG basketball legend Betty Angula will once again lead the way along with young guns Normalisa Donuba and Rosa Kairi.

The squads have been selected following the national championships held in 2021 and national team trials held in early 2022. President Karo Lelai is enthusiastic about the depth of the squad and said: "The standard of play at the national championships was very competitive unlike previous years, where one team has dominated. Box scores were closer and the impact of the work done and strong leadership in areas like Kikori and Eparu Koare were seen on the court".

The 2022 edition, to be played in Fiji in July, will also qualify the top two teams to the 2023 Pacific Games. So despite going in as reigning champions, BFPNG knows they cannot rest on their laurels.

"PNG were fantastic on their home court in 2017. Their men's team then competed boldly to fall just short of a medal at the 2019 Pacific Games. No doubt they will be looking to continue to improve and not only take out the 2022 Mela Cup title but also prepare well for the 2023 Pacific Games," shared FIBA Oceania Executive Director David Crocker. "We are excited to get back onto the courts and see who will take out the title in Fiji later this year," he continued.

The full squads can be seen below:

 
BFPNG also released its list of reserve players that may be called up into the squad should injury or availabilities change within the training squad.

 FIBA