THE Southern Sailors are the inaugural champions following their performance in the NCD Second-Tier Amateur Basketball grandfinal yesterday evening.

Sailors led by PNG legend Moi Muri displayed class against Koki Dolphins at the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Complex Centre.

In the earlier fixture of the evening it was Tubusereia’ Lakwaharu women’s basketball team who defeated Southern Sailors 66-54 despite sailors lead at halftime.

The Sailors Mens team had a dominant four quarter match leading 21-13 in the first quarter before Dolphins caught up however was six-points short (27-21) at half time.

Muri’s side who consisted of young talents from the Kaugere suburb continued their posture in the remaining quarters to make a huge 50-30 margin in the third quarter and complete the final quarter securing a 66-54 victory over the Dolphins at Full time.

“Feels great to lead a really young side in this new competition, we maintained straight wins throughout the regular season until the finals in which the result went in our way.”

“Our team consists of young boys from the Kaugere side, we figured it’s time we brought the team together to teach and prepare the next stars of this code.”

The NCD Second-Tier Amateur was established to become a feeder competition to the Port Moresby Elite Basketball (PEB) competition ensuring rising talents set a foundation before they are given an opportunity to play in the top grade, which currently features prominent basketball figures who have represented in the 5×5 and 3×3 format.

“Our goal is to ensure this young players get scouted through this competition and elevate into the PEB system which is currently dominated by emerging, veterans, and elite basketball players,” he added.

Meanwhile Basketball Federation PNG president David Peter said this new second-tier competition has brought the best out of talents with one of the teams based out of the city.

He said this competition serves as a feeder to the PEB with the goal to expand the growth of the code from the grassroots to the elite level.