BFPNG Announces 3x3 Squad for FIBA Gold Coast Tourney

The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) announced its National Women’s 3x3 team on Friday, 1 May 2026, at Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Center for the upcoming FIBA 3x3 tournament on the Gold Coast, slated from 22-28 May. 

This Gold Coast FIBA 3x3 event will serve as key build-up fixtures ahead of the Commonwealth Games scheduled from 24-27 July 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland.

Following a couple of months of intense training and rigorous preparations, the national body has assembled a strong side, comprising 4 players, who aim to leave their mark on Australia’s "Glitter Strip."  

BFPNG President David Peter announced the final squad for the Gold Coast tournament, expressing confidence in the selection.

“I’m pleased to announce the team that’s going to participate in the Oceania 3x3 high-performance camp on the Gold Coast next month,” he said.

“This is basically the preparations for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. FIBA has invited us to participate in the preparation games on the Gold Coast.”

BFPNG conducted the 3x3 tournament across the four regions in 2024. Every athlete, both men and women, was given an equal opportunity to showcase their skills and fight for a spot in the national team. 

Although the 3x3 game is a relatively new concept in the country, BFPNG has embraced the challenge and participated in the FIBA 3x3 in Singapore last year, as well as the Palau Pacific Mini Games, showing signs of growth and improvement. 

For the upcoming Gold Coast event, 26 players underwent fitness tests, medical tests, and trials in the last few months. However, only 12 players attended the trials, and the number was trimmed down to the final four. 

President Peter clarified that the female players were picked based on their points using the FIBA 3x3 ranking system, with the men unfortunately not qualifying.

“PNG’s qualification is based on the national performance of individual players' contributions to the scores,” he said.

“So, that actually created an opportunity for us to participate in the upcoming 3x3 Glasgow Commonwealth Games for the women.

“Unfortunately, the boys did not qualify because their tally did not add up, except for the women, whose tally added up to secure a spot in the 3x3 Glasgow Games.

“Our participation in the FIBA 3x3 in Singapore and the Palau Pacific Mini Games helped improve our ranking. 

“Out of around 215 countries, our ranking has increased in the last one and a half years, jumping to the 50th spot towards the end of last year.

“So, that created the opportunity for us to participate in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, which is the first time for our country to compete at the international level, especially in the sport of basketball.”

Mr. Peter highlighted that about 8 different requirements were required for the final selection to be made.  

“Our selection criteria have been guided by the selection policy endorsed by FIBA, BFPNG, and PNG Olympic Committee,” he said.

“As per the selection criteria or policy, we invited as many people as we could to watch the players in person and virtually to select the best players.

“Based on that process, the high-performance center and PNGOC came up with the test results, and we made the selection. 

“I want to make it clear that the selection process was done transparently and fairly, following the criteria set by FIBA, BFPNG, and PNGOC.”

President Peter also thanked the sponsors, BFPNG staff, FIBA, PNGOC, the high-performance team, the selectors, and everyone involved in finalizing the squad. 

The BFPNG boss also clarified that this is not the final squad that will attend the Glasgow Games, revealing that changes will be made depending on the individual players’ performance on the Gold Coast tournament. 

Besides the 3 female players, experienced campaigner Betty Angula will accompany the team as a referee. Angula also took part in the trials but did not make the cut. 

The following are the selected players and coaching staff for the FIBA Oceania 3x3 event on the Gold Coast:

Players - Jacky Asiba, Lynnete Tongia, Normalisa Dobunaba, Philomena Isei. 

Coach - Gavin De La Cruz

Assistant Coach - Fennimore Salilum

Ref - Betty Angula