VETERAN booters Joyce Semacio of the Philippine College of Technology and Moira Calizo of Philippine Academy of Sakya will reinforce the Ateneo de Davao University-bannered Davao City secondary girls futsal team when the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2017 unfurls in March in Mati City, Davao Oriental.
This was bared by Coach Rachelle delos Reyes during the Davao Sportswriters Association Forum at The Annex of SM City Davao Thursday, January 26.
She said most of her Ateneo players, who helped win a silver medal for Davao Region in the 2016 Palarong Pambansa, are also playing in the regional meet.
“Ang pick-up players namin sumasama narin sa training since nagsimula kami pagbukas nang klase this January after Christmas vacation. Confident ko sa akong players nga madepensahan gihapon ang Davraa gold (I am confident we will defend our Davraa gold),” Delos Reyes said.
She said predicting a Palaro gold this early is not possible.
She added, “Dako ta ug chance pero paningkamutan lang jud. Sa karon focus lang usa sa training. Mga beterana naman ang mga players pero mas naanad sila sa football gud unya lahi man ang football sa sa futsal. Lahi-Lahi man gud ang touches ana (We have a very good chance but we will have to work hard. We are just focusing on our training. Our players have long been into football but it has different touches with futsal).”
Thus, the need for the players to master futsal touches during training.
Delos Reyes said they are also working on the endurance of the players for the Davraa Meet as they have to be all-around on the court.
“Unlike football na may mga positions silam sa futsal they will have to attack and defend at the same time,” she said.
Ateneans Joannah Marie Adao, Angela Bea De Luna, Kyana Alexandra Dimaandal, Patricia Erika Francisco, Beatriz Angelica Magno, Chiyo Jan Marasigan, Julien Meredith Mirto, Shanelle Charllyne Ostan, Jessica Marie Pido and Julianna Raine Taojo complete the Davao City secondary girls futstal team.