Pepes name Games side

By SULI SULI
VETERANS Jeperth Tulapi and Jacklyn Lahari will headline a young Papua New Guinea Pepes side to the Solomon Islands as the duo prepare to compete in their third consecutive Pacific Games.
Tulapi and Lahari are the only two members that featured in the 2015 and 2019 games where PNG finished with a silver and bronze respectively in Port Moresby and in Apia, Samoa.
The pair will be upfront leading the Pepes squad once again as they continue their campaign from the Mirxes Nations Cup in Singapore to Honiara with a target to bag a silverware.
“Jackie and I were part of the 2015 and 2019 Pacific Games and this will be our third time in the event,” Tulapi told The National yesterday.
“We won silver and bronze from the two games and this year we’re targeting gold.
“Capping off a good tournament in Singapore, the team is looking forward to the games in Solomon’s and we are quite confident to continue a similar performance from the Mirxes Nations Cup.”
After finishing second with silver medal, Tulapi and Lahari are amongst 11 players retained from the Singapore series.
Hana Barretto, siblings Jayden and Tia Molo and Micheala Kedlecek are the latest edition to the Pacific Games squad.
The Pepes skipper who played a stunning role in defence in the Singapore tournament has been switched to her previous position in the shooting circle, and will partner the ever reliable Goloa Ovoa, Kala Ali and Rowyna Vele.
“I’ve played in that position before and I do play shooting mostly,” Tulapi said of ahead of the Games later this month.
“I’m flexible to play wherever I’m needed in defence and shooting so it’s up to the coaches to switch.”
Lahari is not thinking of retiring anytime soon but her desire is to see the Pepes rise to glory in their bid to win a gold medal in netball.
“This is probably like my last game going out, so it’s just staying up there and giving a 100 per cent performance but I’m not going to make that decision yet,” Lahari said.
Pepes will fly into Solomon’s with colossal confidence to stage a masterpiece against their notable Pacific sisters in Fiji Pearls, Tonga Tala and defending champions Cook Islands
Squad: Goloa Ovoa, Kala Ali, Jeperth Tulapi, Rowyna Vele, Hana Barretto, Lesieli Taviri, Shannaz Apelis, Jayden Molo, Micheala Kedlecek, Maddison Siyver, Jacklyn Lahari, Yves Chee. Non Travelling Reserves: Milly Chee, Tia Molo, Natalie Onno. Coach; Annie Iamo, Assistant coach; Helen Edwards, Team Manager; Dianne Lahari.