LITTLE ME ACADEMY COACH MARLON MERLIN (standing left) AND HIS CdO TEAM LITTLE ME ACADEMY FC PLAYERS SHOW OFF THEIR UNIFORMS FOR THE MINDANAO CUP WHICH WILL BLAST OFF ON OCT. 23-25 IN DAVAO CITY.
CAGAYAN de Oro City — Team Cagyan de Oro-Little Me Academy Football Club chairman Ike Olandesca is confident that his players will have a good showing when they compete in the Mindanao Cup Invitational football tournament set to start on Oct. 22, 2019 at the Tionko pitches in Davao City.
The CdO boys U12 team of coach Marlon Merlin was formed barely a month ago and is made up of players from CdO Division meet winners West City Central School, Kauswagan FC., International School and Little Me Academy. The Mindanao Cup is organised by Negros Occidental Football Association president Ricky Yanson Jr.
Players from West City Central School played for CdO Division meet champions West 1 team while Kauswagan FC players, International School and Little Me Academy played for third placer North team.
Players from other winners Rosevale School and Corpus Christi School were invited but turned down the invite because of conflict of school schedules.
“This team although was formed only less than a month, the boys play well and in fact have moved audiences on the edge of their seats every time they play. I see them like the Azkals playing against China,’’ Olandesca said referring to the galant stand of the Azkals against the powerhouse China team during the Fifa Qatar World Cup Asian elimination competition held in Bacolod City last week.
He added that he sees the never quit spirit among the boys. “They give their best no matter what. This team can give their opponents a run for their money just like the Azkals did when they earned one point in their scoreless draw against China,’’ he said.
He also said their opponents should watch for these kids. “They have a lot of potential and everyone should watch out for them. It is team with lots of promise.’’
CdO team coach Marlon Merlin for his part is also confident of the CdO Team. “As a coach I have humble expectations but I expect my team to perform well in the Mindanao Cup. We will do everything 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 said.
A total of 16 teams from all over Mindanao have confirmed including CdO-Little Me Academy FC to join the tournament which is sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).
They are Agusan del Sur FA, Bukidnon FA, Central Butuan District A, CdeO-Little Me Academy FC, Camp Kawa FC of Golden Davao FC, DavaoNor FC, Davao Lola Mommy’s (White), Davao Lola Mommy’s (Red), Iligan City Football Academy, MRFA Sulta Jolongs FC, SOCSARGEN RFA, Team MARFA, SWAT FC, Surigao United, Dipolog City, and Sta, Lucia Jumbos.
All team are expected to arrive on Oct. 22 at the Davao City National High School for the screening of all the players at 3:30-5:30 p.m. After the screening will be the match coordination meeting and the welcome dinner.
The next day Oct. 23, opening ceremony will be at 7 30 a.m. while the matches will start after. Matches will then resume the next day on Oct. 24 until Oct. 25 when the semis and the championship matches are set in the afternoon.
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)
