OFF TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP. THE CAGAYAN DE ORO U15 GIRLS FUTSAL TEAM CELEBRATE WITH COACH DHON LAZAO AFTER DEFEATING MANDALUYONG CITY, 3-0, IN THE BATANG PINOY SEMIS IN PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN.
CDO Futsal coach Dhon Lazo’s dream of finally winning a national gold meda is turning into a reality as his Cagayan de Oro U15 Girls Futsal team guns for gold medal Saturday (Aug. 31) against elimination round tormentor San Carlos City in the Batang Pinoy National Championships.
This after his CdO team, composed of players from various schools here in Cagayan de Oro City, punished Mandaluyong City in the tough semifinal match, 3-0, West Philippine University covered court in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The girls will have a chance to avenged their 1-3 elimination round loss to the San Carlos City, Negros Occidental girls team in this Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) organised event aimed to discover young athletes for the various national teams.
The CdO girls once again relied on their three reliable offensive players Malaika Chavez of St. Mary’s School, Liezel Catamco of Bulua National High School and Mikaella Lazo of Xavier University to in their win.
Team top scorer Chavez once again continued her heads-up play as she scored the first goal early first half. Catamco then put them ahead, 2-0, at the half with a superb finish.Mandaluyong tried to rally in the second half but the CdO girls held on and goalkeeper Chevonne Uy and Gail Loking tightening the back court to frustrate the Big City girls.
Team captain Mikaella Lazo then scored late in the second half to secure their win and a place in the championship game.against San Carlos City which disposed of Zamboanga City also, 3-0, in the other semis match.“We made some change in our position.
I told the girls to remember the six C’s before the match. These are Christ, Communication, Concentration, Challenge, Confidence, and Composure,’’ coach Lazo said.He then added that they offered the match to Christ asking him his guidance and protection so that no one will get injured.
“The second C is Communications. Without good communication inside the pitch, everything will be in chaos,” he said.
He also said that the third C is Concentration. “Focus on the game and never think of any other things except the game.
’’The fourth C according to coach Dhon was Challenge. “Challenge the opponent not to get any easy ball possession. They can not be lazy and relax in defence to give advantage to the opponent.’’
Confidence is the fifth C coach Dhon said. “Since we practice hard, we are confident that we can fight hard against any opponent. With the skills that we have we are confident to abstain our objective,’’ he added.
The last C for coach Dhon is Composure. “We should maintain our composure to play the ball not in a hurry but relax and be clever.’’
It will tough against San Carlos City in the championship as they have bowed to this team in the elimination.
However, if the girls will only remember the six C’s then coach Dhon will have an easy match and hopefully bring home the gold medal for Cagayan de Oro contingent.
1. LAZO, Mikaella Anne – XUJHS – Pivot/Flank; 2. UY, Chavonne Joelle – SMS – GK; 3. ARCADIO, Fatima – Rosevale Flank; 4. KAAMINO, Kahlista Kyan – Rosevale- Anchor; 5. CHAVES, Malaika Ingrid – SMS – Flank; 6. CATAMCO, Liezel – Bulua NHS – Flank/Anchor; 7. ACTUB, Jewel – SMAC – Flank; 8. SEBIAL, Marie – Bulua NHS – Flank; 9. LOKING, Gail – SMS – Anchor; 10. MICABALO, Ellaliene – Lumbia NHS – GK; 11. PALATES, Norjean – Canitoan NHS – Flank; Dhon Lazo (Head Coach: Jersey Miaco (Assistant Coach)(l.biantan@gmail.com)
