Ateneo girls eye grand slam

MULTI-TITLED Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) Grade School girls 13-under team is poised to defend its title and to snatch a grand slam victory in the 10th Rifa Cup International Football Festival set on January 19 and 20 at the Colegio San Agustin (CSA) in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Coach Reynalyn Ravanes, who was a guest at the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at Dexter's Pizza Stadium in Matina Thursday, said: "We are eyeing a grand slam this year with the girls' teamwork, fighting spirit and willingness to win."

Ravanes' wards held the Rifa Cup girls 12-under title the past two years and will compete in a new category. The girls 12-under event has now become the 13-under division.

"We've been training on Mondays to Fridays with a maximum of two hours per day. The girls are very focused on their goal to become champions again," Ravanes, who will work with former national team member Rachelle delos Reyes in coaching the team, said.

Patricia Francisco, Therese Reyes, Chiyo Marasigan, Ysabel Aquino, Julianna Taojo, Kyana Dimaandal, Lianne Co, Denis Diamante, Bea Deluna, Mia Co and Kyra Paronda will banner AdDU girls 13-under squad in the seven-A-side format bootfest.

Ravanes with Analou Ingles, meanwhile, will mentor the girls 11-under team that aims to improve its runner-up finish last year. Marasigan, Aquino, Taojo, Dimaandal and Diamante will also form the team along with Leara Varquez, Melanie Pamisa, Yunika Angala Luisa Uy, Cai Reyes and Julien Mirto.

Ravanes said their 11-under team only lost to CSA via shootout in last year's finals.

AdDU is also entered in boys 13-under, eight-under, girls 17-under and girls 15-under events of the annual tournament. (MLSA)