THE Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) girls U12 team nailed its first title this year after emerging champion in the Sacred Heart School (SHS) Invitational Football Tournament U12 division title held at the SHS Football Field in Cebu City over the weekend.
Addu, mostly bannered by Grade 7 players, eked out a 1-0 win over a Cebu City team in the finals behind Isabelle Rene Taojo's goal in the final minute of regulation time.
The feat, according to head coach Analou Ingles, avenged their loss to the only squad that defeated them in the elimination round.
"Yung kalaban kasi namin sa finals sila lang yung nakatalo sa amin sa elimination," Ingles said. The Ateneo team won three elimination games to place second and to also secure a finals berth in the league.
With only six teams entered in the girls U12 division, they were only grouped into one bracket.
Ingles' sqaud, however, did not expect to win the title considering the other strong teams that competed.
"Ni-remind ko lang sila to play as a team," Ingles said, baring that the unpredictable weather made the games even more challenging. She said that at first, it would be too hot then later it would rain.
Ingles then cited Taojo for the impossible shot at the corner side of the goal.
The team, she said, was supported by Addu parents who subsidized all the athletes and coaches' travel expenses.
Also in the team are Jasmine Agustin, Akia Cayabyab, Samantha Salise, Juliana Del Mundo, Lacy Uy, Bianca Sabate, Jelena Pido and Sabie Taojo with coach Michelle Alfeche Javellana.