PNG Marlins beat Samoa 75-65 in men’s basketball tonight at the BSP Arena.
Samoa led in the first quarter 22-14 but PNG bounced back to take over 43-35 at half time.
PNG maintained the lead in the third quarter thanks to key players Allan Wright, Purari Muri, Gabriel Elavo and Matiineng Leahy taking their score up 59-48.
Despite height advantage, Samoa couldn’t keep up with the fast play by the home team.
This is PNG’s fifth win out of six games taking them to the top four.
PNG coach Joel Khalu was pleased with the boys’ performance and is confident PNG will make it to the medal playoffs.
Samoa will have another shot of making the top four when they play Fiji tomorrow.
PNG will play silver medal holders Guam.
In other matches today, Fiji defeated Tahiti 75-67, Guam beat American Samoa 91-75 and Solomon Islands beat Nauru 95-71.
The semifinal will get underway on Saturday and medal playoffs on Sunday at the PNG Power Dome.
