The PNG 3x3 Paradise Men’s and Women’s teams faced formidable challenges in their opening matches at the international competition in Singapore yet displayed commendable resilience and determination despite tough losses. In their first game, the Men’s team battled hard but fell short against Kazakhstan, suffering a narrow 18-16 defeat. Meanwhile, the Women’s team struggled against a dominant Indonesian squad, with Indonesia claiming a decisive 17-5 victory. Despite these setbacks, the Men’s team made a strong comeback, securing a well-deserved win against the Maldives with a final score of 21-15. Head Coach Gabriel Elavo acknowledged the resilience shown by his players during the matches but also highlighted areas for improvement. He stressed the importance of minimizing turnovers, avoiding unnecessary fouls, and exercising patience in decision-making. Additionally, Elavo noted that effective communication on defense and proper execution of set plays was essential to the team’s success moving forward. [caption id="attachment_63865" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Pic Courtesy Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea Inc: The Team Paradise Women[/caption] Elavo, however, remained optimistic and highlighted the positive aspects of the team's performance. These included composed play, the creation of scoring opportunities, and strong defensive efforts. Despite the early losses, Elavo believes the team has significant room for growth and improvement, these was the reflection on the team's overall performance. "We stuck to what was working for us as a group, but the opposition has been playing together for a while, and their familiarity with 3x3 basketball showed." "We competed really well after two losses, but we could’ve won if we had knocked down our open shots and cut down on turnovers." "I’m proud of the team for translating our training into the game, but we need to play in more 3x3 tournaments or competitions locally to gain more experience. There were rules we were unfamiliar with, and that cost us the game against Kazakhstan. But there is still a lot of room for improvement," he said. The team participated in a training clinic on Saturday, and a coaching clinic today. These sessions are expected to offer valuable insights and enhance the team’s preparation for their future matches. Coach Elavo also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to those who have supported the team throughout the journey. “I want to thank our major sponsor, BFPNG President Mr. David Peter, the BFPNG staff, the basketball community, our families, and most importantly, our team of VP Mr. Simon Dixsy, TM Ronnie Pomat, AC Michael Henry, and our players Sibona Kala (C), Moses Lune (VC), Ryan Tetemo, Moses Kairi, Betty Angula (C), Normalisa Dobunaba, Betinah Dobunaba, and Hannah Kalua.” As the PNG 3x3 Paradise Team continues their journey in Singapore, they remain focused and determined to bounce back in their upcoming matches. Their competitive spirit and commitment to representing Papua New Guinea with pride remain unwavering.