Tribes Coffee wrap up regular season with a strong win

The Har Hurum Tribes Coffee defeated the Bulls Basketball Club with a 75-53 scoreline in the final regular season round of the Port Moresby Elite Basketball (PEB) on Tuesday, 14 September 2026, at Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Centre.

Desperate to make the top 4, Tribes Coffee started the opening quarter with high intensity, taking a 23-13 lead and maintaining their attacking rhythm in the second quarter, leaving the halftime score at 46-27.

The Tribes' men continued their offensive prowess in the third quarter, extending the margin to 65-37 and sealing the deal in the final quarter with a resounding 75-53 victory, while booking their spot in the playoffs.

Young forward Allan Millard scored the most points of the match, registering 26 points, followed by Emmanuel Parapa’s 22 points, Cornelius Muri’s 15 points, Max Warabe’s 5 points, Jnr Joseph Toank’s 5 points, and Collin Pine’s 2 points. 

Captain Collin Pine was pleased with the men’s performance but admitted the team needs to work on key areas, challenging the players to step up ahead of the finals, which is a different environment.

In the women’s division, Tribes Coffee dominated all four quarters, defeating 3K North-West Wizards with a 47-37 win. Valerie Maikai scored 17 points (the highest points), followed by Jonitha Warabe’s 10 points, Margaret Kevin’s 9 points, Cynthia Baia’s 6 points, Betty Angula’s 3 points, and Ashlyn Jack’s 2 points.  

Both Har Hurum Tribes Coffee men’s and women’s teams have punched their tickets to the finals. The two sides have been consistent finals contenders since the inception of the elite competition and hope to stamp their mark again.   

Meanwhile, the Port Moresby Elite Basketball Director, Lawrence Lahari, said: “It’s been another successful PEB season number three 2026.

“It’s been challenging due to the unavailability of securing a venue to host the games, but we were able to continue the games through the partnership we had with the NCD Amateur Basketball competition.”

The competition director acknowledged the naming rights sponsor for its continued support: “We want to thank our major sponsor, PNG LNG ExxonMobil, for sponsoring us in three consecutive years.” 

Mr. Lahari explained that the top 4 teams in both men’s and women’s divisions will compete for the crown in their respective divisions, with the knockouts scheduled for Sunday, September 20th, at Sir John Guise Stadium Indoor Complex.

On Sunday, September 20th, the teams sitting first and second in both divisions will play for the grand final qualifiers, while the third and fourth-placed teams will square off in the do-or-die matches. 

The following Sunday, September 27th, the winners of the grand final qualifiers will advance to the big dance, and the losers will play the winners of the elimination finals. 

On October 5th, the grand finals of both divisions will be held to decide the ultimate champions of the PNG LNG ExxonMobil-sponsored Port Moresby Elite Basketball season 2026.

The 8 finalists in both men’s and women’s divisions are:

                  Men’s

• Southern Sailors

• CivPac Amesii

• Moni Plus Tamaraws

• Har Hurum Tribes Coffee

                 Women’s  

• Kondo East

• CivPac Amesii

• Har Hurum Tribes Coffee

• 3K North-West Wizards