USPF WINS NAT’L CROWN IN FIRST TRY
USPF FC blanks Tuloy sa Don Bosco, 2-0, to win the Girls 13 division of the Allianz National Youth Futsal tournament
Two months ago, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Girls 13 futsal team barely had two practice sessions before joining their first futsal tournament.
Two tournaments later, they will be returning to Cebu as the national champions in their division, capping an impressive run that saw the newbie squad bring home the crown in the Allianz National Youth Futsal finals in Laguna.
After blazing through the group stage last Saturday, scoring 18 goals and conceding only thrice to finish on top, USPF continued its stellar run with a close 2-1 win over Davao in the semifinals with Vanesh Agbones and Kyza Colina providing the goals.
In the finals, Colina showed up with her scoring touch anew, scoring once, while Rae Tolentino hit the other goal for their 2-0 win over NCR representative Tuloy sa Don Bosco. Mia Tolentino had her second shutout of the tournament, to close out with only three conceded goals.
“Tuloy is more futsal-oriented compared to us but we have the advantage in having a winning mentality,” said coach Eleazar Toledo.
The team, which is supported by Cebu Province and the Cebu Football Association, blazed through the group stage with a 4-1 win over Davao, 6-0 rout of Tuloy sa Don Bosco and an 8-2 rout over Gawad Galinga.
Toledo said that for the national finals, they worked on their tactical play and set pieces and refined their finishing touches in front of goal.
The team, which added players from St. Theresa’s College, Sacred Heart School Ateneo de Cebu and Guardian Striker, also have Roygen Tincang, Mish Tsiez Castañares, Friea Colina, Nexah Nacorda, Celina Salazar, LExie Louis Chan, Jelena Loren Soon. John Soon is the team manager, Jinggoy Roa, the STC coach, serves as a consultant and Sheba Castanares is the assitant coach.
Toledo hopes the team can keep playing together as he thinks they are going to be a contender in the Palarong Pambansa soon.
“I will make a recommendation to the Cebu FOotball Association to keep this group kay mao ni future for the Palarong Pambansa,” said Toledo.
The Palaro girls futsal competition, won by SHS-Ateneo last April, follows the 18-Under age limit, giving this team almost six years to hone their skills. /