MindanaoToday.com | NMRAA-Bulua NHS makes Futsal history
By: Jack Biantan
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Bulua National High School Lady Strikers reserved their best for the last as they defeated Sacred Heart School/Ateneo de Cebu 5-2, to capture the bronze medal in Cebu Palaro ’24 Futsal event at the Ateneo de Cebu gym in Mandaue City.
It was a sweet victory for the Lady Strikers as the win gave NMRAA its first ever Futsal medal in this annual sports fest organized by the Department of Education (DepEd) and this year hosted by Cebu City and Cebu Province.
The victory was also much sweeter for the Lady Strikers star forward Queency Love Canaman who solidified her scoring prowess when she found the back of the net four times against Ateneo de Cebu for a total of 10 goals in this tournament.
She scored one goal against National Capital Region, Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA), two goals against CVRAA in the eliminations, and 2 goals against CALABARZON in the quarterfinals.
Canaman, scored the first two goals for NMRAA in the first half as CVRAA put up a good fight and even scoring one goal and trailing only by one goal 1-2 at the half.
It was however the last hurrah for the Ateneo Gals as Canaman led the CdO Ladies charge in the second half scoring two more goals while defender Pauline Labita completed their win scoring the last goal of the match.
CVRAA tried to stage a comeback scoring one goal in the middle of the second half. However, it was too late and the Lady Strikers were all ready to wrap-up the match and secure their bronze medal.
Rizal Memorial College/Davao Regional Football Association (DVRAA) won the gold medal by beating Poteverdra National High School of Negros Occidental/Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) 11-2 in the championship.
NMRAA coach Jun Actub said that they could have advanced to the championship if only the players held on to their defense and had the stamina in the second half against the eventual champion DVRAA in the semis.
He said that the Cagayan de Oro girls held the Davao girls to a scoreless draw at the half only to collapse in the second half and lose their chance of fighting for the gold medal.
“The Davao girls were formidable and strong, they were runner-up to CVRAA last year. They were a better team. They were stronger, bigger and have better stamina,” Actub said.
But what added to the woes of the NMRAA girls in the semis was their tough match against CALABARZON in the quarterfinals.
In spite of the 6-3 win, the Bulua girls were exhausted and were bruised all over bodies as CALABARZON gave them a tough fight.
The Lady Strikers performance in the Cebu Palaro was the best so far for a Northern Mindanao Futsal team since the sport was introduced as a demo sport in the Palarong Pambansa in 2013 in Dumaguete City.
Aside from Canaman, three Bulua girls have also scored goals in the entire tournament with Mary Grace Lapinig and Norjean Palatis scoring six goals each. Defender Pauline Labita also scored two goals.
Meanwhile, coach Actub thanked his players and their parents for their efforts including Allyia B. Surposa, Pauleen Louis C. Labita, Sophia Nicole Cereal, Trisha Jett D. Parojinog, Twinkle B. Paid, Rhea Jane O. Liogan, Rhyssa Erliz L. Moreno, Rezel Mae P. Bonifacio, and Gernevie B. Rodrigo.
Actub also included CdO Mayor Klarex Uy, Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriquez, DepEd
Cagayan De Oro Division officials Roy Angelo Gazo, Rosallo Vitorillo, and Bulua School Principal Engr. Macapangcat U. Mama.
He also mentioned Bulua Baranggay Chairman Al P. Legaspi, Bulua SK Chair Person Janka “Janine” Aguillon and Bulua councilor Audy Maagad.
“I need to thank all the persons who have helped us win the bronze medal,” coach Jun Actub ended. (jackbiantan@yahoo.com)
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