IN THE battle for local age-group football supremacy, two local powerhouses emerged as big winners in the just-concluded 12th Rosevale Football Cup held at the Xavier Estates football field in Upper Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City.
Host Rosevale School and powerhouse Higala Football Club (FC) won three titles in the two-day 7-Aside tournament.
The Rosevale High School team brushed off the absence of their injured team captain Rocky James Grant early in the match to survive against Holy Cross High School of Bukidnon in a shootout championship match and win the Boys Under-18 (U18) crown.
Despite of his ankle injury, Grant still managed to win the MVP award. His teammates Alrafie Abedin, Chev Magdale and Jko Pupos won the Best Striker and Best Goalkeeper awards. Rosevale coach Mario Sumampong ran away with the Best Coach award. Neil Borja of Holy Cross took the Best Midfielder award.
The Rosevale Elementary Palaro squad that represented Northern Mindanao in the Bicol Palaro last year is now one year older and looked more deadly.
They won the U15 title Sunday beating Gingoog City in a penalty shootout.
They also captured the championship trophy in the U14 Saturday, topping the six team competition.
Lyle Dy won the MVP honors in the U15 and U14 competitions. Jeff Laurence Cascarra and Dave Mendoza also won the Best Striker and Best Goalkeeper awards respectively also in the U15 and U14 categories.
Ino Butaslac also of Rosevale won the Best Midfielder in the 14 Under category, and John Gementiza the Best Defender award. Coach Mario Sumampong brought home the Best Coach award.
Higala FC topped the Boys 12 Under, the Girls 18 Under and the Boys 11 under categories.
January 21, Special Awards:
MVP - Gabriel de los Reyes (Boys U8), Vernon Macha (Boys U10), Kid Yañez (Boys U12), Lyle Dy (Boys U14), Troy Asugas (Boys U16), Ommeren Castro (Girls U18), Rocky Grant (Boys U18)
Best Striker – Samanta Baran (Boys 8 Under), Lars Bacarrivas (Boys 10 Under), Vincent Valleser (Boys 12 Under), Jeff Lawrence Cascara (Boys 14 Under), Ervy Jipus (Boys 16 Under), Meceren (Girls 18 Under), Alrafie Abedin (Boys 18 Under)
Best Mid-Fielder - Lorenzo Go (Boys U8), Dan Castardo (Boys U10), Vinson Manubag (Boys U12), Paulo Pilipino Butaslac (Boys U14), Niko Sumanoy (Boys U16), Perez (Girls U18), Niel Borja (Boys U18)
Best Defender - Empress Saplot (Boys U8), Emman Saplot (Boys U10), Aaron Magadan (Boys U12), John Gementiza (Boys U14), Chong Pitogo (Boys U16), Alijano (Girls U18), Chev Magdale (Boys U18)
Best Goalkeeper - Kurt Javellana (Boys U8), Roberto Bagnol (Boys U10), Rawinque Gementiza (Boys U12), Dave Mendoza (Boys U14), Salinangan (Boys U16), Paul Cabio (Girls U18), JKO Pupos (Boys U18)
Best Coach - Jefferson Manzanares (Boys U8), Guller Sumampong (Boys U10), Jeremy Jablo (Boys U12), Mario Sumampong (Boys U14), Peter Kent Mendez (Boys U16), Dennis Bongocan (Boys U18)
January 22, Special Awards:
MVP - Don Ebuña (Boys U11), Jay Lawrence (Boys U13), Lyle Dy (Boys U15), Andrew Ramos (Boys U17), Don Derekto (Men’s Open), Nikki Regalado (Women’s Open)
Best Striker - MJ Jrand (Boys U11), Dale Anoya (Boys U13), Jeff Lawrence Cascara (Boys U15), Tarshisa Garciano (Boys U17), Tristan Vistan (Men’s Open), Patricia Ching (Women’s Open)
Best Mid-Fielder - Sam Angelo Salinay (Boys U11), Rafael Oranda (Boys U13), Awayan (Boys U15), Divina Gracia (Boys U17), Carl Pacturanan (Men’s Open), Dandan Tolentino (Women’s Open)
Best Defender - Ernest Sobremisana (Boys U11), Eman Tuston (Boys U13), John Gementiza (Boys U15), Charles Lobitaña (Boys U17), Jerimeh Jablo (Men’s Open), Margo Laplap (Women’s Open)
Best Goalkeeper - Ivan Sambaan (Boys U11), Juven Orina (Boys U13), Dave Mendoza (Boys U15), Mark Daig (Boys U17), Lance Durretcha (Men’s Open), Mea Ravalo (Women’s Open)
Best Coach - Jeremy Jablo (Boys U11), Justin Paluga (Boys U13), Mario Sumampong (Boys U15), Bob Suclatan (Boys U17), Weng dela Riarte (Men’s Open), Nyce Junapon (Women’s Open)
(l.biantan@gmail.com)