KSS Souths Edge Pawasi to Clinch Maiden NSBL Title

The KSS Souths walked away with their inaugural National Souths Basketball League (NSBL) title after holding off the fast-finishing Pawasi outfit with a 34-31 victory in the Men’s Grand Final yesterday afternoon (29th September 2025) at Taurama Aquatic Indoor Center in Port Moresby.

With both teams making their first grand final appearance, the players went firing on all cylinders on the court to fight for premiership glory, but the KSS Flames managed to shrug off the determined Pawasi to secure their maiden NSBL trophy.

A highly-anticipated decider lived up to its billing as the two sides rose to the occasion to flex their muscles and entertain the fans in the opening quarter, with the KSS Souths taking an 11-10 lead over Pawasi.

The second quarter reached its climax as both sides threw everything at each other to assert their dominance, with the eventual champions extending their lead to an 18-16 margin at the interval. 

With a bit of ascendency, Pawasi regrouped to retake the lead in the third quarter with a 27-24 scoreline, but the men in red swung the momentum in the final quarter to shut down Pawasi in a dramatic 34-31 finish. 

KSS Souths' coach, Eastwood Matthew, was at a loss for words, given the fact that this was the club’s first NSBL premiership after participating in the biggest grassroots tournament in the country for over a decade. 

“I’m speechless. I could not believe we had done it. I had faith in my boys, and they delivered it. I’m super proud of them,” coach Matthew expressed.

“I also say thank you to our major sponsor, Kutubu Security Service, and the people behind it, Mr. and Mrs. Kapi Natto, not forgetting our team manager, Hendrix Natto, and the loyal fans. We did it.”

Not only did the KSS Souths snatch the coveted trophy, but the team’s mentor, Eastwood Matthew, won the Coach of the Tournament and explosive point guard, Eddie Moses, scooped the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, capping off the four-day event on a high note. 

The KSS Souths have a registered club called the KSS Flames that takes part in the Premier Men’s Basketball League (PMBL) competition. The Flames have an incredible record in PNG, winning seven consecutive premierships. The club’s record is unrivaled to date. 

Claiming the 2025 NSBL tournament has solidified the status of the Kutubu Security Service-sponsored Flames as the powerhouse club in the country, as far as the sport of basketball is concerned.