Softball showdown

By HENRY MORABANG
REIGNING champions Yokomo will have a hard time defending their title when they take on an in-form PNG Power in the Port Moresby men’s A-grade softball final tomorrow.
Coach Hulala Tokome said his players would not count on past laurels as they have a clean bill with PNG Power.
“We have beaten PNG Power throughout the season and also in the preliminary finals,” Tokome said.
“However, that counts for nothing when it comes to the grand final.
“We respect PNG Power and they deserve to be in the final as they have also played well all season. But we will be out to give it 110 per cent effort to retain the premiership,” he said.
Tokome knows that the final would not come easy and they needed to be on-song in all areas to have a safe chance of retaining the premiership.
The coach said he expected captain Paul Bogan, Upaupa brothers David and Kelly, Collin Mangot and the Zale brothers Micah and Taki to lift their game.
He expects some fireworks from the pitcher-catcher combination of Clifford Kouse and Mark Tomangana  around the pitching mound.
PNG Power coach Isikel Tovia Sr will be relying on his sons, Danny, Isikel and Demas, to lead the charge for the former champions.
Coach Tovia does not want to see a repeat of last weekend’s preliminary final against Brown Eagles, where the Eagles were leading which made them work hard in the end to beat them 5-4.
Apart from the Tovia Brothers, they will be assisted by Eugene Tovue, Eddie Simba and Michael Parom to ensure they give the defending champion a good match-up.
The grand final would be a cracker for the softball lovers on Sunday.
Ultimately the team which makes the least fielding errors and bats well, should be able to come on top at the end of the day!
Draws: 1000 B United Brothers vs Brown Eagles, 1300 A PNG Power vs Yokomo.