Vipers boss urges fans to back side

By HENRY MORABANG
WITH nine losses and zero wins in the 2017 Digicel Cup season, the last-placed Port Moresby Vipers are expected to end up with the wooden spoon for a second year in a row.
Vipers board chairman Ted Lulu, however, maintained the club was still hopeful it could score some wins to finish what has been a poor season off on a positive note.
The National Capital District Commission-backed Vipers have not been able to notch a single win despite being involved in several close matches and Lulu admitted the side had yet to learn how to win the close ones.
Lulu was quick to defend his team performances saying a late start to season preparations coupled with inexperience in the crucial positions.
He said the team had undergone a tough transition period after City Pharmacy Limited (CPL) stepped aside as the major sponsor.
“We’ve gone through several problems including the withdrawal of sponsorship and the lack of a good pre-season which put the team on the back foot,” Lulu said.
He said city hall took over the ownership of the franchise and despite having a good roster of players as well as Phillip Boge as coach in the opening the rounds the team failed to win a match.
The Vipers board sought out another coach after Boge stepped down. Lulu said Boge’s employment with the PNGRFL made it hard for him to commit to the job.
Former Vipers forward and Paga mentor Joe Sipa was given the reins.
“With Sipa’s inclusion, things have changed a bit especially with the attitude of players in training.
“Sipa has brought in more discipline and respect from the squad and I’m confident we can turn things around,” Lulu said.
He said the team would need improvement in areas of set completions and better fifth-tackle options and that would come as the playing group got more confident and built combinations.
Lulu said that Vipers was a club which represented the NCDC as well as the national capital and they were committed to getting better results.
Lulu, who is also the deputy city manager (social services), appealed to fans to have faith in the Vipers. “Port Moresby is our city, and Vipers are our representatives in the Digicel Cup so I urge fans to keep backing us.”