CAGAYAN de Oro City –Less than two weeks before Group G of the Mindanao Elimination tournament on June 24 at the Pelaez Sports stadium, the Camiguin-Misamis Oriental Regional Football Association (CMORFA) boys are oozing with confidence.
This after they concluded their tune-up matches against senior teams from Northern Mindanao with a 7-1 drubbing of a strong Cagayan de Oro selection this week. It was their second win after they escaped with a 3-2 victory against the same team last week.
The CMORFA boys recorded seven wins, two draws, and two loses in their tune-up matches in their more than two months of preparation for the tournament. They also won against Mountain View College 3-0, Golden City FC 6-2, Higala FC 7-2, Magis FC 3-2, and Bukidnon Football Association (BUFA) 3-2. They recorded scoreless draws against Malaybalay FC and Mountain View Alumni. Their loses were against Bukidnon Faith School and Monte Carlo FC.
Team coach Ivan Caiña is also confident that his players will do well against teams from Butuan Agusan del Norte FA (BANFA), Agusan del Sur Surigao del Sur Regional FA (AGSSURFA), and Surigao Del Norter Dinagat Island Regional FA (SNDIRFA) on June 24-28.
“I think we could go through all the way if we play our cards right. However, we expect a down the wire race as only the top team of the group will advance to the Vis-Min National Group stage,” Caiña said.
He added that he is confident that his team is strong as it is a blend of experienced players and undiscovered talents. “We have two very young but very talented players and most of the rest are Palaro players,’’ said the founder and head coach of the Golden City FC.
Experience indeed, the CMORFA players have plenty. The team is led by former national U16 defender Josh Go. The 18-year-old Go played in the Palaro in Albay in 2016 for the Northern Mindanao Elementary football team. He was also a member of the Philippine National U16 team in 2018 that played in Indonesia.
Albay Palaro players who are also part of the team are defender Jeff Cascara of Rosevale School, midfielder Rafi Rubio of Corpus Christi School, Ino Butaslac of Corpus Christi School, John Gementiza of University of Science and Technology Philippines (USTP), Lyle Dy of Rosevale School, and Kent Quieta of Abba’s Orchard School.
Jeff Cascara plays attacking left fullback while Go attacking right fullback. Rafi Rubio and John Gementiza control the center midfield providing instant passes for strikers Kent Quieta and Lyle Dy. Ino Butaslac is the central defender.
Cascara played for one year for De La Salle Zobel in San Juan, Metro Manila in 2019 but had to move back here in Rosevale School for his Senior HIgh School during the pandemic. His one year experience under legendary coach Hans Smit have helped him improve his game. He is now one of the pillars of CMORFA boys defence.
Completing the CMORFA boys are goalkeeper Rafael Reyes of Galica FC of Gingoog City, forward Nickvan Longanay of Golden City FC, defender Thirdy Seriosa of Higala FC, midfielder Kinsay Yañez of Higala FC, Adrin Yder of Galica FC, midfielder Luigi Awayan of Galica FC, forward Jave Vallar of Galica FC, forward John Salip of Naawan United FC, defender Paolo Padaga of Galica FC, defender Pedro Tagara of Naawan United FC, goalkeeper Ram Solis of Opol FC, defender Gabriel Valdeo of Monte Carlo FC, forward John Magalzo of Galica FC, midfielder Patrick Mendoza of Opol FC, defender Kurt Tabamo of Galica FC, defender Sean Amora of Higala FC, forward Cesar del Cruz of Naawan United FC, and Jomar Manabilang og Xavier University.
Aside from head coach Caiña, official members of the team include, assistant coach Jerome Dela Peña of Galica FC, assistant coach Dan Aquino of Football for Humanity, analyst/technician Lance Turrecha of Xavier University, and team managers Mike Batiles and Dhon Lazo.
Mike Batiles is the president of CMORFA and Dhon Lazo the Secretary General. They due have been busy looking for the needs of the team. They are also now leading the preparation for the hosting.
The CMORFA boys will start their campaign on June 24 against Butuan Agusan del Norte Football Association. Then they will clash against Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur Regional FA on June 26. They will end their campaign against Surigao del Norte Diganat Island RFA on June 28. The top team will advance to the Visayas Mindanao Group stage. (jackbiantan@yahoo.com)
