HOLY Cross High School capitalized on the goalkeeping error of Corpus Christi early in the first half to capture the high school title of the Mindanao Milo Olympics football tournament held recently at the Westridge Sports Park in Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.
It was a bitter loss for the heavily-favored Corpus Christi booters of coach Wilbert Ranices as the Holy Cross put up a solid defense after the goal to secure the title.
Holy Cross of Camp Phillips, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon relied on the long range goal kick from goalkeeper John Antonette Betanio to score the lone goal of the tournament.
The goal could have not been counted had Corpus goalkeeper Vince Adarna allowed it to go freely in the goalmouth but he touched it.
Adarna’s blunder gave the Manolo Fortich kids a goal which assured them of the gold medal finish in the all-Mindanao competition.
Members of the Holy Cross team are Neil John Borja, Earl John Ollero, Eviz Marvin Naquila, Keith Marcel Pacanza, Louvent Kier Amoguis, Robert Lawrence Wilson, Jason Ducay, Louie Philip Divinagracia, Charles Andrei Lobitana, Miles Jeniel Socias, John Antonette Betanio, and Xymon Roy Bulawin.
Coaching the team are Michael Barola and Adjong Hojas.
Holy Cross finished the elimination round with a 3-0 slate.
The Bukidnon boys topped group 4, defeating Iligan Medical Center College, Bukidnon Faith Christian Academy and El Salvador National High School.
They advanced to the championship match when they hurdled the challenge of Xavier High School of Cagayan de Oro City.
Corpus also topped Group 1 with a 3-0 slate and made it to the final after defeating Agusan National High School, 3-0 in the semis.
Ateneo de Davao Grade School team downed surprised package Lurugan Elementary School, 3-1 via penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in the regulation.
Ateneo finished Group 4 with identical 2-1 record with West City Central School of Cagayan de Oro City.
The Davao kids, however, advanced to the semis by virtue of a higher goal difference.
Ateneo then bested Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School of Camp Philips, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, 3-0 in the semis to arrange a final match with Lurugan Elementary School.
Lurugan of Valencia City, Bukidnon topped Group 2 with a 3-0 ledger.
The Valencia kids then nipped Notre Dame of Kidapawan, Cotabato, 1-0 in the semis to barge into the championship round against Ateneo de Davao.
(l.biantan@gmail.com)