CDO FC girls advance to Mindanao tourney

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Bulua Strikers FC Girls 14 team recently swept the Northern Mindanao elimination tournament of the Allianz National Futsal Invitational to advance to the Mindanao qualifying tournament in Davao City on May 18-19.

The girls of coach Junieto Actub leaned on the goal-scoring powers of key players Louiza Beatrice Lim, Stephanie Martinez, and Norjean Palatis to finish the tournament without a loss in the North Mindanao eliminations set in Tubod, Lanao del Norte last April 13-14. Bulua is one of the 80 barangays in this city.

The Bulua girls nipped Ozamiz City Stonefield FC, 5-3, in the championship to secure a place in the Mindanao championships.

They won all their elimination round matches, beating Ozamiz City Stonefield FC, 2-1; McHeaven Pagadian City, 7-2; and Watashi Dipolog City, 3-2.

They will play against the teams from Davao, and Cotabato in the Mindanao championships.

Palatis scored a total of seven goals, while Lim and Martinez scored five goals each.

Other members of the Bulua Girls 14 team who played in Tubod are Jasmine Palarca, Zane Yeng Yasas, Mary Grace Lapinig, Sophia Nicole Cerdeňa, Pauleen Louis Labita, Ivory Rulida, Carol Jane Lantaya, Angel Mae Alagon, and Rubiechrist Demate. Assistant coaches were Hannah M. Naldo and Heintje D. Actub.

“The outcome was the result of total team effort, teamwork among players, coaches and parents,” Actub said, adding that they need to double their efforts to survive the Mindanao championships.

The Bulua Girls were not very lucky in the Girls 16 category as they finished runner-up behind champion Red Corals of Zamboanga City, and runner-up Watashi of Dipolog City.

The members of the Bulua Striker FC Girls 16 team are Liezel Ann Catamco (team captain), Marie Frances Clyde Sebial,  Pearl Marquez, Cindy Rose Gomez, Jewel May Actub, Arnnie Lyn Dazo, Crissa Jane Mayola, Jasmin Tadena, Preya Jabagat, and Andrea Nicole Malazarte.

The Bulua Strikers FC Girls 16 team lost to Watashi Dipolog City via goal difference in the battle for second place as both teams finished the tournament with identical four wins, one draw, one loss record.

Bulua Girls 16 drew with the Red Corals of Zamboanga City, 2-2; won over Limaong Manukan Zamboanga del Norte 2-1; but suffered a 0-5 setback from the hands of Watashi Dipolog City. They also won against Stonefield FC of Ozamiz City 4-1, and defeated Roxas Zamboanga del Norte 3-2, and Pagadian City 6-1.

Bulua Strikers finished runner-up in the Girls 14 category in the Mindanao eliminations last year, also in Davao. (PNA)