TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte -- Defending champion Davao City girls rugby football team retained its crown at the close of the Batang Pinoy 2016 National Championships touch rugby football tournament held here at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex Wednesday evening, November 30.
Davao City, coached by Rosebe Hilot, scored a 1-0 victory over Mandaue City in their under-17 championship match.
Davao City leaned on the heroics of Diana Corase who was hailed most valuable player (MVP) of the league.
Corase scored the game-sealer touchdown with two minutes remaining in the first half.
"I am capable of supporting and leading my team," Corase said in an interview, adding she was confident to score since there were no defenders behind her.
Corase's teammate Dionalyn Diolola also set her up to have a free way enroute the touchdown, she said.
Hilot, in a separate interview, said after the goal, she imposed a solid defense to defend the lead all throughout the second period.
"Nag-work sad amoang defense which is one of the biggest factor kay ang gi-aim nako kay i-protect nalang tong one point lead para dili na mi muabot sa golden point (Our defense worked. I just aimed to protect the one-point lead so we need not reach the golden point),"
The coach said that she was very proud of her athletes as they proved themselves again, saying: "Happy ko kay na meet nila ilang expectations despite the pressure (I'm happy they lived up to expectations despite the pressure)."
She added that they did not relax although they already had beaten Mandaue City in the preliminary round.
Hilot hopes that the team will win more championships and defend their Batang Pinoy title anew next year for a three-peat.
The team also leaned on the services of Aira Lumanta, Haide Abdullah, Rae Mae Gelingo, Myriel Pocong, Angela Sessa Hifume, Nory Luna, Christine Fuentes, and Alnera Cruzado.
Meanwhile, Davao City boys' team fell shy of the gold, salvaging the silver after bowing to Muntinlupa City, 0-1, in the finale.