THE Sagay City Futsal team will advance to the Batang Pinoy National Finals after ruling the recently staged 2019 Batang Pinoy-Visayas qualifying tournament held at the West Visayas State University covered court in Iloilo City.
The Northern Negros-based team escaped a close 7-6 scoreline over fellow Negrense side Pontevedra after leading a 4-1 edge at the half.
The Sagaynon squad successfully completed the run behind the goals from Rodherick Rodriguez (4), Japhet Rhem Mermida (2) and James Araes III (1) alongside Tyron James Baloco, John Mark Militar, Ryan Monares, Allen Jan Tajanlangit, Jericho Vingno, Peter Olid, Lee Kurt Vinter Mahilum, Jay Lorenz Villarin and Allan Joseph Pantoja.
Directing the team were coaches John Carlo Lucero and Henry Pateño with support from Sagay City Sports chief Benson Fernandez, Loued Lachica, Ilou Bustaliño and Sagay City football coordinator and consultant Warren Concepcion.
Also competing in the futsal event are Negros Selection, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo Province, Cebu City, Cebu Province, Bayawan City and Dumaguete City.
The success of the Sagay City futsal team is a result of the local government’s intensive sports program implementation in developing home grown talents from the grassroots under Sagay City Mayor Thirdy Marañon. (HGD)