Pepes determine to reclaim Nations Cup

The Papua New Guinea National Women’s Netball team, the Pepes, have maintained an unbeatable winning streak, sitting comfortably on top of the leader after the fourth round of the Mirxes National Cup in Singapore.

The Pepes have won the Nations Cup in 2008 as the first overseas team since its inception in 2006.

This year, Annie Iamo-coached side, assisted by Helen Edwards and Skipper Jeperth Tulapi, are determined to reclaim the Mirxes National title.

In the week-long tournament in Singapore, the Pepes have yet to taste defeat as they head into the final lap of the round-robin, where PNG will meet the Cook Islands on Friday, October 27th.

On the first day, PNG played against Singapore in a match, which they won with a 52-50 scoreline. The second day, they took on Canada, defeating the Canadian girls with a score of 52-34. The next day, they defeated Singapore A, extending their winning streak with a 52-40 line. In their last game, PNG edged out Sri Lanka 67-51.

"The team wants to win and that's what the team is focused on,” captain Jeperth Tulapi said during an interview with the media.

According to the Pepes, Tulapi is keeping to her words and is leading by example all the way from the back as a defender to the shooting circle and is backed by other experienced players like Jacklyn Lahari and Vice Captain Maddison Syve.

The team is taking a compulsory rest day on Thursday, 26th October, and will return to the courts on Friday, 27th October, to complete their round games.

Finals are set for Saturday, October 28th, where the team sitting 1st on the ladder will play 2nd, while 3rd will meet 4th, followed by 5th and 6th for the closing ceremony.

The PNG Pepes will travel back to the country on Sunday, October 29th.