Southern leg heats up
The National, Friday February 7th, 2014
By JACK AMI
THE Paga Panthers will have to overcome 11 other teams in their bid to defend the Ipatas Cup Southern challenge title when the competition kicks off in Port Moresby today.
The pool A and B games will be played at Sir William Skate Memorial oval in Kaugere, pool C and D at Kone Tigers oval while the playoffs, semi grand finals and presentations will be at Murray Barracks.
Round two and three will be played at Kaugere and Kone Tigers ovals.
Enga Governor and Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup patron Peter Ipatas will officially kick off the challenge on Sunday in the presence of National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop.
The K20,000 prize money is on offer for the grand finalists.
The winners will pocket the prize money and advance to the semi-finals in Lae.
Pool A has Butterflies, Brothers, Tarangau, Paga. Pool B Ira Lais, Suburban Ducks, Lagaip Brothers and Maiari Eagles. Pool C Magani, Lakwaharu Keleone, Taboro Sharks and Pool D Storms, Pythons and Dep Eels.
The Panthers management declined to comment on their chances but they have been placed a tough pool which has Port Moresby premier clubs Parisco Brothers, KPM Butterflies and Hekari Tarangau and with Country Wide Solution Magani (pool C) and Mobil Maiari Eagles (pool B).
The Butterflies CCIC Ipatas Cup campaign will be led by Kumuls veterans Charlie Wabo and Michael Mark.