DIVISION 2 PLATE RUNNER-UP LITTLE ME ACADEMY CAGAYAN DE ORO TEAM OF COACH MARLON MERLIN.
Despite of lack of cooperation from some CdO coaches, Little Me Academy FC finishes runner-up in Division 2 Plate contest in the Mindanao Cup football tournament at the Tionko field Davao City.
It was a decent finish for coach Marlon Merlin after they bowed to a strong SOCSARGEN side in the championship match 5-0.
The SOCARGEN boys of coach Ricardo Pusok Jr. leaned on the goals of Bryan Neil Sanchez, Ronaldo Santos, Victor Ezekiah Al Hatmy and own goal from Franklin Bagona of CdO to win the title.
The Little Me Academy kids earlier advanced to the final after the they edged Zamboanga del Norte Dipolog FA, 1-0.
If was a tight contest from start to finish for both teams until Benjamin Gamiao found an opening in the 33rd minute to ensure their entry to the championship of the Division 2 Plate contest.
The CdO boys advanced to the semis after they whipped Zamboanga de Sur-Pagadian 11-0, in the quarter finals.
Zen Daryn Pagasian scored five goals, Jian Carlo Esoy four and one goal each from Martin John Merlin and Benjamin Gamiao to insure their entry to the semis.
Little Me Academy advanced to the quarterfinal after finishing with one win and two loses in the elimination round.
They lost to Sultan Kuadarat in their final elimination round match. They were leading 1-0 early but then collapsed in the end game 1-3.
They lost to a very strong Davao White team in their first assignment during the opening day 8-0, but came back with 11-1, rout of Agusan del Sur FA where Pagasian scored six goals, Jian Esoy two, and Franklin Bagona and Yuuel Brent Lamparas adding one goal each.
The CdO team could have sent a stronger squad to the competition had some local coaches lend their players to the tournament. One particular coach has even warned his players not to join the Mindanao Cup or else they will be ruled out to join the NMRAA set in December.
Little Me Academy FC coach Marlon Merlin on his part is thankful for NOFA for inviting the club specially NOFA coach Ricky Yanson. He is also hopeful that their experience should inspire players and coaches to join the tournament next year.
“I just hope and pray that what we did in the Mindanao Cup should inspire coaches in CdO that working together will make the impossible possible. Our football players need leaders and if we just coach for fame and glory then we will not be good leaders for them. Let us lead them to love the game of football. Let us coach the players not to quite no matter how many times they fail. Let us coach our young players to always play for the love of the game,” he said.
CAGAYAN DE ORO LITTLE ME ACADEMY (RUNNER-UP PLATE DIVISION 2): Martin John Lee Merlin, Zen Daryn Pagasian, Jian Carlo Esoy, John Lyod Mero, Shane Louise Nagal, Franklin Bagona, Mcryl Dave Desaparado, John Escala, Blessie Munez, Benjamin Gamiao, Yuuel Brent Lamparas, Mateo Kuis Perez, Jayrome Indino, Harwey Cahayag, Ryan Acabo (Assistant coach); Marlon Merlin (Head Coach) (l. biantan@gmail.com)
