CEBU, Philippines - Winning the team events would surely be Abellana National School’s (Unit 9) strategy in retaining the overall title for the secondary division as the 20th Cebu City Olympics actions resumes today at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
Unit 9 shares the top spot with Unit 8 with both earning 65 points apiece last Sunday. They were followed by Unit 5 with 55 and Unit 7 with 25 in the second and third places, respectively.
The ANS booters almost had their hearts broken before surviving a 6-5 triumph via penalty shoot-out over Paref-Springdale in their nerve-wracking semifinal battle yesterday at the CCSC field.
Paref-Springdale made an impressive start after Francis Medalle knocked in the first goal for the squad.
With two minutes to go before the final whistle, ANS found a ray of hope when Jovan Bacus found the back of the net to tie the count at 1-all and send the game into extra time.
In the extension period, no team was able to score thus the penalty shootout.
ANS nailed all five of its attempts courtesy of John Rye Nieves, Joeford Dolino, Kerth Ryan Arranguez, Michael Anthony Ruete, and Vic Montebon.
“Nisaka gyud akong kabuhi kay kulba kayo ilang duwa, hapit gyud intawn nga dili mi maka-defend sa amo title” said coach Francis Ramirez of ANS.
“But it was all worth the thrill when the boys got the victory.”
ANS will have two championship matches today in football and sepak takraw.
The ANS batters already proved their superiority after lording it over the baseball and softball events. Its spikers will be in a semifinal action match today against the University of San Jose-Recoletos.
In the elementary division, Unit 6 will try to sustain its momentum after gathering a total of 67 points last Sunday to occupy the top spot.
Unit 8 follows just four points behind with 63 while Unit 7 is at the third spot with 57 markers.