The Tip Off Basketball Challenge men’s finals are set to kick off at the Multipurpose Hall on Sunday.
This year’s men’s grand final will again feature last year’s finalists, Marist and Gunnerz men’s basketball club.
These two teams made their way through following two weekends of tough group matches.
Gunnerz Basketball team were crowned the champions of the 2017 Empire State Tip Off Basketball Challenge after defeating a tough Marist side.
Gunnerz completed their undefeated run with a 50-41 win over Marist to win their first ever competition since the team was formed.
Gunnerz team captain and club founder, Augustine Basia is eyeing to repeat the same feat this year but understands it will not come easy as they have to fight against an experienced Marist side today.
This tournament gives a competition platform for the clubs get the feel of competition before upcoming competitions on this year’s calendar.
According to the organizers, the competition is purposely to get teams organized, get players back to training mode and to get the sport back into the scene.
Another purpose for hosting the competition is to get players prepare for the upcoming qualification in PNG in September.
Not only that, upcoming youngsters in the clubs are also targeted by this tip-off competition to get them involved and help them get exposed to games on a different level and feel pressures of game situations.
By CARLOS ARUAFU
