TEAM CDO-LITTLE ME ACADEMY FC for MINDANAO CUP Standing (Left to Right) Head Coach: Marlon Merlin, Asst. Coach: Ryan Acabo, Frank Bagona, Martin John Lee Merlin, Jefferson Datahan, Jian Carlo Esoy, Benjamin Gamiao III, Zen Daryn Pagasian, Shane Nagal, Jayrome Indino Jr., Michael Banguil, Harwey Keyrk Cahayag, Staff: Coach Amora. Sitting (Left to Right: Brent Lamparas, John Raeden Escala, Mcryl Desamparado, Blessy Munez, Andrian Valdez, and John Lloyd Mero
COACH Marlon Merlin expects his team to perform well when they represent Cagayan de Oro in the Mindanao Cup set in Davao City on Oct. 22-25 at the Tionko pitches.
Merlin will bring along players from Little Me Academy, West City Central School and Kauswagan Football Club in the weeklong tournament organised by Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) president Ricky Yanson Jr. The tournament is for players born 2008-2009.
“As a coach I have humble expectations but I expect my team to perform well in the Mindanao Cup. We will do anything to make Cagayan de Oro proud,’’ he said.
He added that he imparts on this players that football is not all about winning but rather for players to play “For the Love of the Game”, and for coaches to “Make a Difference’.”
We will play as our motto says, “Win or lose we are one and we are team,’’ he added.
Players and coaches of Cagayan de Oro Division meet champion from Rosevale School and runner-up Corpus Christi were originally invited for the tournament but begged off because of conflict of school schedule.
Despite of short notice, division meet third placer, the North District team composed of players from Bongbongan Elementary School in Kauswagan, Little Me Academy and International School responded.
Little Me Academy school owner, Ike Olendesca then accepted the challenge and then asked his newly appointed coach Marlon Merlin to form the team.
Merlin also thanked the parents and school officials where the players are enrolled for allowing the children to play. “Without them this team will never be formed,’’ he said.
Twelve teams from Bukidnon FA, Butuan-Agusan del Norte FA, Iligan-Lanao del Norte-Lanao del Sur FA, Maguindanao-Cotabato City FA, Mount Apo RFA, Sultan Kudarat FA, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands RFA, and Zamboanga del Norte-Dipolog FA.
Host Davao City will will field in two teams. Teams from Agusan del Sur-Surigao del Sur, Golden Davao RFA, South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos RFA, Zamboanga Basilan Sulu Tawi-tawi RFA, and Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian RFA have signified their intentions and may confirm this week.
TEAM CDO-LITTLE ME ACADEMY FC: Head Coach: Marlon Merlin, Asst. Coach: Ryan Acabo, Frank Bagona, MartinJohn Lee Merlin, Jefferson Datahan, Jian Carlo Esoy, Benjamin Gamiao III, Zen Daryn Pagasian, Shane Nagal, Jayrome Indino Jr., Michael Banguil, Harwey Keyrk Cahayag, Brent Lamparas, John Raeden Escala, Mcryl Desamparado, Blessy Munez, Andrian Valdez, and John Lloyd Mero. (l.biantan@gmail.com)
