Tribes Coffee teams punch their tickets to the “Big Dance”

The Har Hurum Tribes Coffee Club men’s and women’s teams booked two Grand Final spots in the 2026 Port Moresby Elite Basketball (PEB).   

Tipping off the double-header preliminary blockbuster, the Tribes Coffee women’s team pulled off a 55-48 win over Kondo East, while the men’s side overcame the CivPac Amesii 77-74.

In the women’s division, Tribes Coffee led 15-11 in the opening quarter before Kondo East overtook the women in green, leaving the halftime score at 25-24.

The seesawing affair continued in the third quarter, with Tribes Coffee retaking the lead (40-36) and nullifying Kondo East’s comeback to close out the game. 

Margaret Kevin scored 20 points, backed by Cynthia Baia’s 14 points, Valerie Maika’s 7 points, Jonitha Warabe’s 5 points, Joan Kola’s 4 points, Betty Angula’s 3 points, and Delta Lare’s 2 points. 

Captain Jonitha Warabe and experienced campaigner Betty Angula provided leadership on the court, while the young players executed the game plan.

In the men’s clash, with no love lost between Tribes Coffee and CivPac Amesii, the match started with high intensity and ended dramatically. 

Amesii started brightly, taking a 25-21 lead over Tribes Coffee. The eventual winners rebounded in the second quarter, leapfrogging Amesii to 40-34 at halftime.

The men in green maintained their lead in the third quarter (57-52) before running away with a hard-fought 77-74 victory. 

Jesse Pine scored 25 points, followed closely by Allan Millard’s 24 points, Emmanuel Parapa’s 13 points, Collin Pine’s 9 points, and Cornelius Muri’s 6 points. 

The underdogs (Tribes Coffee) played as a cohesive unit, leaving everything on the court and fighting valiantly until the final whistle.

Tribes Coffee and Amesii have been arch-rivals since the elite competition started in 2024. They met in consecutive grand finals, with Amesii winning both deciders. The Tribes’ men took revenge on Amesii and set their sights on claiming their maiden title.

Club owner and major sponsor Firman Joseph expressed satisfaction, congratulating the two teams on reaching the grand final and wishing them good luck in the big dance.  

Meanwhile, the Tribes Coffee women’s team will face the CivPac Amesii, while the men’s outfit will square off with the newcomers Southern Sailors, with the two Grand Finals to be hosted this weekend (date yet to be confirmed).