BASKETBALL Federation Papua New Guinea will be naming their final U23 squad soon after the conclusion of 3×3 camp in Port Moresby last week.

President David Peter said from a long trim in the past months, this was the final trial as they prepare to name the traveling squad for the 2025 Mini Pacific Games in Koror, Palau.

“We had two days of 3×3 trials, from this we will select the team that will be representing PNG for the U23 mini games in Palau.”

“It’s an important process for us to get the best team that represents the entire country by having diverse inclusion of players from different regions.”

Peter acknowledged PNG Olympic Committee for their support of K20,000 to bring players based in outside centres for the 3×3 trials as the final squad justified will represent Team PNG in Palau.

“The selection is based on the criteria set and endorsed by BFPNG, PNGOC through its Justification Committee and FIBA so we have a fair selection.”

“The same applies for our team officials (managers and coaches) and at the moment we are grateful to coach Gabriel Elavo for his services during the two-day trials.”
“He recently took the 3×3 national teams to compete in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in Singapore just in March.”

“The announcement of our two teams will be made after considering all these different assessment processes and we’ll be able to announce the team comprising of four players each for the U23 Mens and Womens teams,” he added.

Coach Elavo who assisted in the two-day trials said this was crucial for the final cut where they had to focus on each individual’s talent level.

“The two-day trials we ran was to measure the individual talent level where they stand at and how they understand the game. The basics of basketball, rebounding, dribbling, scoring, all these little things that add up to individual player’s talent,” he said.

The trials concluded with two separate games played at the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Centre courts to test their offense and defense skills.

Meanwhile the U23 3×3 Teams participation in Palau is important as the winning teams there directly qualify for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and opens doors to other FIBA sanctioned international events.