THE Bulua Lady Strikers once again showed that they’re a force to reckon with in Mindanao football development after reigning in the 1st Xavier-Lotto Cup Girls 18-under tourney at the Xavier University Campus pitch here, over the weekend.
The Lady Strikers of coach Junieto Actub, made up mostly of players from Bulua National High School, captured the Girls 18-under title via a thrilling 1-0 shootout win against the tough Iligan City FC side after a scoreless draw in regulation.
Goalkeeper Kate Binayao played the best game of her life, saving three attempts of the Iligan City Ladies.
But it was 14-year-old Liezel Cotamco’s goal which sealed the victory for the Strikers that broke the hearts of Iligan City FC Ladies of coach Emmanuel Judith.
“The hard work these girls have given in training handsomely paid off this year. We will continue to train and play to achieve our dreams,’’ said coach Junieto Actub.
It was their fifth title run this year as the Bulua Strikers also won the Girls 17-under crown in the Rosevale Friendship Cup, the Girls 18 Magis Memorial Football Cup, the West II District meet title, and the PIA Cup CdO Invitational Futsal tournament, including six runner-up finishes.
Kate Binayao’s saving efforts were enough to lift the Strikers to the title despite the miss of Hannah Naldo. Jearth Apolo’s penalty was no longer needed as Cotamco’s goal was enough to secure the Strikers’ third title finish this year.
Binayao won the Best Goalkeeper award, Cotamco the MVP and Apolo the Best Striker.
Bulua advanced to the championship when they whipped Zamboanga City’s Red Corals FC in a shootout, 3-1 in the semis. It was a sweet revenge for the Strikers after their championship loss to the Red Corals in the PIA Cup CdO Invitational Futsal Championships last August.
The Strikers defeated First Fruits of Valencia Bukidnon, 1-0, in the quarterfinals to advance to the semis. They topped their group in the elimination round with victories over the Liceo Titans, 1-0, and Lumbia Raptors FC, 1-0.
Anne Bullanday of Iligan City brought home the Best Defender award and Angelique the Best Midfielder award.
Comprising the Bulua Strikers Team are Kate binayao, Jearth Divine Apolo, Marie Frances Clyde Sebial, Liezel Ann Catamco, Hannah Naldo, Andrea Bianca Ferrer, Andrea Nicole Malazarte, Pearl Agbon and Cindy Rose Gomez.
Complete results are the following: Mixed 10 Champion-OLLES, 1st Runner-Up-DMFC and 2nd Runner-Up Phil Chen (Monte Carlo). MVP-Kerby Dairo, Best Goalkeeper-Gerald Paluga, Best Defender-JR Ortiz, Best Midfielder-Rasaad Doromal and Best Striker Jim Fabella.
Boys 12 Champion-Corpus Christi (COAA Regional Team), 1st Runner-Up Rosevale School and 2nd Runner-Up Merry Child. MVP-Atoy Sobremisina, Best Goalkeeper Rawen Gementiza, Best Defender-Earl Cotamora, Best Midfielder Sam Salingay and Best Striker-Don Ebuna.
Boys 14-under Champion-ABBAS Montessori School, 1st Runner-Up Holy Cross School and 2nd Runner-Up Higala FC.
MVP-Happy Allado, Best Striker-Happy Allado, Best Midfielder-Emma Cabrera, Best Defender-Ari Sylee and Best Goalkeeper-Luis Alona.
Boys 18 Champion-VAV FC, 1st Runne-Up Rosevale School and 2nd Runne-Up Xavier University High School.
MVP-Kenneth Guion, Best Striker-Vistan Tristan, Best Goalkeeper-Daniel Uy, Best Defender-Lexin Yuson and Best Midfielder-Geo Tacandong.
Girls 18-under Champion-Bulua Lady Strikers, 1st Runner-Up Iligan City FC and 2nd Runner-Up Red Corals Zamboanga City.
MVP Liezel Cotamco, Best Striker Jearth Divine Apolo, Best Goalkeeper-Kate Binayao, Best Defender- Anne Bullanday and Best Midfielder-Angelique Cañete.
Women’s Open Champion-Celestial FC, 1st Runner-Up Iligan City FC and 2nd Runner-Up Viagra.
MVP-Liezel Catamco, Best Striker-Jearth Divine Apollo, Best Goalkeeper-Kate Binayao, Best Defender-Ruth Anne Bullanday and Best Midfielder-Angelique Cañete.
(l.biantan@gmail.com)