CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Local futsal and football teams are heavily favored to defend their titles in the Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (NMRAA) regional meet, which is set to kick off at the Tangub City Sports Complex, Misamis Occidental on December 15-20.
The Cagayan de Oro Athletic Association (COAA) teams are bolstered by players from top football playing schools in the city -- Xavier University, St. Mary’s School, Corpus School, and Rosevale School.
Girls Secondary Futsal coach Dhon Niño Lazo is bringing a powerhouse squad to protect its five-year unbeaten run in this annual competition to determine the region’s representative to the Palarong Pambansa. The Palaro next year will be in Davao City.
Futsal is a football game done inside covered courts instead of an open field.
Six players in this squad played for the Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) Girls Futsal team in the Palarong Pambansa in Vigan. They are Xavier University High School standouts Jillian Nirelle S. Berrgado, Lourinne Jiuseppe C. Lazo, Nizza Jorj C. Lazo, Megan Faye L. Wong, Zippy Moss H. Medalla, and St. Mary’s School striker Maria Chantal P. Van Ommeren.
Completing the line-up are Monina Marcy F. Alcober, Feona Marie A. Anoos, Patricia Edma, Mikaella Anne C. Lazo, all from Xavier University High School and reinforcements Malika Ingrid A. Chaves of Rosevale School, and Chavonne Joelle T. Uy of St. Mary’s School.
Meanwhile, the father and son tandem of Corpus School coaches Wilbert and Marc Racines are confident they will defend their Elementary and Secondary titles against top teams from the region. Wilbert led the golden finish of the COAA Secondary team against perennial contender Valencia City last year.
This time he is coaching the COAA elementary team while his son Marc has taken over the secondary team.
Rosevale School represented the winning COAA elementary team last year with coach Mario Sumampong.
They are expected once again to face tough challenges from Valencia City, Malaybalay, Bukidnon province and Misamis Oriental province.
“We expect to face Valencia once again in the finals. We are ready for them,’’ said coach Wilbert Racines.
Valencia is the home of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) training center and football playing schools Central Mindanao University, Bukidnon Faith Christian School, and First Fruits Academy.
Although they have not won against CDO teams in the regional for a long time now, they remain dangerous and may pull out some surprises.
COAA Girls Futsal Team:
Monina Marcy Alcober, Feona Marie Anoos, Jillian Nirelle S. Bergado, Anna Patricia A. Edma, Lourinne Jiuseppe C. Lazo, Nizza Jorj Lazo, Megan Faye Wong, Mikaella Anne Lazo, Zippy Moss Medalla, Maria Chantal Van Ommeren, Malaika Ingrid Chaves, Chavonne Joelle Uy, Coach: Niño Lazo, Chaperon: Kristina Sancebutche, Trainor: Jerney John Miaco.
COAA Elementary Football Girls Team:
Kinsey Drew Yañez, Karstien Dane Yañez, Rawin Gementiza, Kenny Guion, Jrand Hortilano, Armand Noel Lugod, Donn Benedict Ebuña, Von Iriz Quinito, Francis Iverson Sanbaan, Aqeel Usman Amol, Rafael Antonio Yap, Ethan Jay Vistan, Blaine Stevon Paje, Lester Ian Datiles Coach: Wilfbert Racines
COAA Secondary Boys Football Team:
Geo Tacandong, Aeron Subesa, Mhel Tado, Emilio Rubio, Blake Carrera, Krislourd Yañez, Thomas Marfori, James Mocorro, Jesse Bajarla, MJ Hojas, Josh Go, James Averia, Eugene Arriola, Javier Estrella, Dale Anoya,Joshua Montesino, John Gementiza, Joie Gaid, Jr.Coach: Marc Racines. (PNA)
