Mioks, Guria face-off in finals

THE replay of last year’s bemobile Cup grand final between Toyota Enga Mioks and Agmark Guria will come under the microscope when both sides meet again – this time in the major qualifying finals in Port Moresby on Sunday.
And in Lae, Bintangor Goroka Lahanis will face off with SNS Port Moresby Vipers in a sudden-death final playoff.
The winners of the Lae match will meet the losers of the Port Moresby game, while the winners of the Mioks-Guria match face the minor premiers, Muruks in the semi-final next week.
It will be another great time for the fans to cheer on their teams to find out the side that have the upper-hand to meet SBS Muruks in the semi-final playoff.
Mioks have made their intentions clear that they would take one step at a time in the finals.
No nonsense Mioks coach Gabriel Kiluwa told The National yesterday before leaving Wabag that they would not take the giants lightly.
“It is finals time and we have a team ready for the reigning champions. We know Guria are a better side and have some experienced players but that will not deter us,” Kiluwa said.
The Engans defeated Guria in the grand final (formerly SP Intercity Cup) in 2000 and last year it was Gurias’ revenge time when they upset Mioks 24-14 in the bemobile Cup grand final.
This time, it is premature as the battle between the five teams – Vipers, Lahanis, Mioks, Gurias and Muruks – is not over yet.
But, Mioks have one thing in their mind, to upset Guria.
They have a strong backing from Engan business houses, Mapai Transport, Neno Construction Ltd, Panda Builders, Porgera Joint Venture (Barricks), Enga provincial government and Governor Peter Ipatas, which a bonus to topple the reigning champions.
Mioks will be relying heavily on Kumuls prospect forward David Loko, James Wanis and James Gend, veterans Jonah Mackey, Sent Angra and Ben Ezekiel to set the foundation.
The “little general” Peter Peyela, experienced Mai Tom, James Jeninga and Jason Tali will take charge of the backline.
But Guria coach Michael Marum is so sensitive in making his line-up for the finals and has high hopes for captain Rodney Pora, George Moni, Larsen Marabe to lead the Radaz men in both attack and hit-up.
They have fast ball runners like Dion Aiye, Ricky Sibiya, former Mioks centre Kevin Frank and Larsen Marabe to cause havoc for the Engans.
Both teams are equally matched in attack and defence.