Cebu City booters bag U-17 crown in POF

CEBU - After missing the trip last year, Team Cebu City’s under-17 squad showed they too can make some wonders after reigning supreme in their class after defeating Misamis Oriental, 2-0 in their final assignment in the 3rd Philippine Olympic Festival in Cagayan de Oro City late yesterday afternoon.

TCC sealed their bid with two wins and a loss to secure the crown as host Cagayan de Oro settled for second and North Cotabato was third.

The winners in football are based on the number of wins or points and no championship game took place.

Going into their last game in the single-round robin action, TCC was highly-motivated after seeing that Cagayan beat North Cotabato.

A win by North Cotabato would have shattered their title bid as the

Cebuanos lost to them during their first game.

Coach Mario Ceniza, in an interview with The Freeman, said it was an answered prayer that Cagayan won against North Cotabato.

TCC just needed at least a draw against Misamis Oriental to secure the gold.

But even with that, coach Ceniza instructed his wards composed mostly of players from Paref-Springdale with reinforcements from Sacred Heart School, Abellana National School and Center for International Education to win the game and nothing else.

To win the game, TCC needed to pressure the MisOr booters, which they did all throughout the game.

TCC’s defense was so tight that MisOr never got an attempt at the goal.

In the first half, SHS-J’s Carl Arenas and Bran Go of Springdale logged a goal each that paved TCC’s victory.

It was one sweet victory for TCC’s under-17 squad as they had to hurdle some obstacles before winning the battle.

Coach Ceniza admitted that the 18 players were not able to practice together and the chance to play before the POF’s under-17 action in Cagayan de Oro failed to materialize with their opponent not showing up.

“It would have been my chance to see all the players and their strengths when we arrived here, but unfortunately, our opponent did not show up. We lost to

North Cotabato as we still needed to adjust,” said coach Ceniza.

TCC’s game against Cagayan ended at 3-1 for their first win and followed by a 2-0 triumph versus MisOr to win the under-17 title.

TCC hopes to make a double victory when its under-15 team faces Negros Occidental today. (THE FREEMAN)