Tribes Coffee survive elimination

The Har Hurum Tribes Coffee kept their championship hopes alive after defeating the Moni Plus Tamaraws 74-71 in the Port Moresby Elite Basketball (PEB) Men’s Elimination Final on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, at Sir John Guise Stadium Indoor Complex. 

Both sides left everything on the floor, with some players sustaining injuries after full-time. It was a high-octane, physical clash that tipped off in a fiery start and maintained its momentum until the final whistle, leaving the fans on the edge of their seats. 

The 40-minute contest opened with high energy and set the tone for a bruising, seesawing affair that ended in a nail-biter. Both sides exchanged points in the first quarter, locking the score at 15-15.

The intensity peaked in the second quarter as the two teams unlocked their attacking prowess and aimed to assert their dominance. Tribes Coffee managed to stay ahead of the Tamaraws by 5 points, leaving the half-time score at 33-28.

At the resumption, Tamaraws overtook Tribes Coffee by 1 point, ending the third quarter with 50-49. The game reached its climax in the last quarter, with the men in green holding firmly to overcome the fast-finishing Tamaraws with a hard-fought victory. 

With the match hanging in the balance (67-67), Cornelius Muri’s 3 points changed the outcome of the contest, helping the Tribes’ men switch to defensive mode to secure a gripping win against the determined Tamaraws.  

Captain Collin Pine led by example on the court, barking orders and controlling the tempo of the match, while Cornelius Muri, Allan Millard, Jesse Pine, Emmanuel Parapa, and Max Warabe executed the game plan. 

Cornelius Muri and Allan Millard scored 19 points apiece, followed by Collin Pine's 14 points, Emmanuel Parapa’s 9 points, Max Warabe’s 6 points, Jesse Pine’s 5 points, and Jnr Joseph Toank’s 2 points. Every player contributed to the win. 

For Tamaraws, point guard Martin Ben bagged 23 points, Moses Kairi scored 16 points, Morea Elavo Jnr registered 13 points, and Lawrence Elavo collected 10 points. Chyenne Henry and Opi Pina scored 2 points each.

Tribes Coffee sponsor and club owner Firman Joseph congratulated his boys for the win, but challenged the players to step up, noting that the two remaining matches will be tough. He encouraged the players to stay disciplined and work hard.

Tribes Coffee advanced to the preliminary final, while Tamaraws bowed out with their heads held high. The Collin Pine-captained side will meet the CivPac Amesii on Sunday, September 27th, at the Indoor Complex. The winner will go head-to-head with the Southern Sailors in the Grand Final on October 5th. 

Meanwhile, in the women’s division, Tribes Coffee will face Kondo East in the preliminary final. The winner will square off with the CivPac Amesii in the decider. The women’s and men’s fixtures will be held at the same venue.