ATENEO de Davao University elementary booters defended their title at the close of the Mindanao Milo Olympics football tournament held at the Westridge Sports Park in Cagayan de Oro City over the weekend.
The Rey Henry "Ewee" De Leon-coached Ateneo held Lurugan Elementary School of Valencia to a scoreless draw at the end of regulation.
Atenean Lance Edward Antepuesto netted a goal in the extension time but a Lurugan striker countered with another goal to force another deadlock in the final seconds, thus, sending the match to a penalty shootout.
Coach De Leon, in text messags to VoxPop Davao, said, "Out of three kickers per team, we scored the first two kicks and we blocked their first two kicks, making us the champs with a 3-1 win. Praise God!"
He's elated by the back-to-back Mindanao championship they won, however, he is uncertain if they will get the chance to retain their national title. Milo management, according to him, is not sure about holding a national finals.
Completing the Ateneo roster were Vic Andreau Cabatbat, Jann Lucas Elevera, Ashantinel Happy Gabriel, Psalm Emmanuel Loquero, Taiyo Nakata, Miguele Joaquin Pascual, RC Peñaredondo, YlacProvido, Gianpaolo Sartirani, Jacy Valverde and Javier Gonzalo Tan with assistant coach Ruel "Weng" Sasuman.
Ateneo's 11-year-old sprinter Ashanttie Amaneo, for her part, salvaged two silver medals. She clocked 14.39 seconds to place second in elementary girls 100-meter dash.
Tangub City's Junil May Padillo (14.26) bagged the gold while Jedarin Magpale of Zamboanga del Sur (14.48) got the bronze.
Amaneo's coach, Airnel Abarra, lauded her for setting a new personal best time, considering that it was her first competition outside Davao City.
She followed it up with another silver in elementary girls 200m, registering 31.18 as Padillo again snatched the gold with a time of 30.26 and Jean Marie Ytang of Zamboanga (31.85) ended up with the bronze.
Amaneo's teammate Ice Layla Cuasito placed fourth in elementary girls 800m and 1,500m.