Medvil-davao places 2nd
THE Medvil Football Club of Davao City bowed to defending champion CeresNegros Occidental Football Association (Nofa), 0-1, via a penalty kick in the 77th minute of their finals showdown in the Philippine Football Federation-Suzuki Cup Under-23 National Cup at the Perdices Memorial Coliseum in Dumaguete City late Thursday afternoon.
Medvil-Davao coach Ramonito “Lalas” Carreon, in text messages to Sun.Star Davao yesterday, said that Ceres-Nofa scored after the Dabawenyo player Frances Jay Abrasaldo fouled their player inside the penalty box.
“It was a good foul though since the Ceres player was about to shoot the ball. At least, Abrasaldo made it a 50-50 chance for Ceres-Nofa to score. We lost but we are happy because we earned the respect of the crowd, opponents and officials as well. Over all, it was a fantastic performance from the team,” Coach Lalas said.
It can be recalled that Ceres-Nofa defeated the Davao City-based squad, 5-0, in the group stage eliminations.
Coach Lalas cited Medvil- Davao players, adding: “The team spirit was superb. They played full of joy in their hearts. They showed a very good quality and entertaining football. The team controlled the tempo of the match.”
Medvil-Davao’s Dominador G.Tato IV was named best goalkeeper of the tournament.
Coach Lalas, however, said they will have to scout new players for next year’s tournament since some of the players who saw action in Dumaguete will no lon- ger be eligible to play.
To his players, Coach Lalas said, “A million thanks to you boys. I am very blessed having players like you with full of determination. Keep in mind that we lost but we are successful.”
He was pertaining to Abrasaldo, Francis Jay Abalunan, Jomar M. Acedo, Ed Merill Walohan, Yoshiharu Koizumi, Jerard Birneza, Michael Nehemiah T. Simms, brothers Derrico Gabriel and David Angelo Diamante, Imardino B. Polo, Khadaffy Biruar, Renz Rhey T. Napuran, Amani Manuel S. Aguinaldo, Danilo Lascuna Jr., Michael Pantojan and Jestoni Felipe. Alvic Troyo assisted Coach Lalas in the team managed by Rafael “Pops” Vilela.
The team thanked sponsors Medvil Farms Inc., Penong’s Barbecue and Grill, Coco’s South Bistro, Hon. Cong. Isidro Ungab, University of the Philippines Mindanao, Brainworks School Inc., Brainworks Football team parents, Emar Human and Environmental College, Reginald Ozims of Ebocci FC, Engr. Henry Sabate of KMMPC FC, Edward Lam of Columbia FC, Ferdinand Palamos, Zandifa president Antonio M. Buca, Bai Siang Lim, Georgette Romero-Salas, Mr. and Mrs. Dapoy Diamante, Alicia Valdez, Maria Mercedes Uy and Vida Konst.
Coach Lalas also thanked coaches Peter Hans Smith (De Lasalle University), Wilhem Laranas (National Uviversity), Jose Ariston Caslib (San Beda College) and Andres “Anto” Gonzales (University of the Philippines Diliman) for allowing their Dabawenyo players compete for the Medvil-Davao team.