CAGAYAN de Oro is sending young and talented footballers to the Batang Pinoy National Finals futsal competition set in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on August 25-31.
Team coach Dhon Lazo, his assistant Jerney John Miaco, and the 11 girls of the futsal team left for Puerto Princesa Wednesday night, August 21, with some of the 121 Cagayan de Oro athletes to compete in the weeklong competition organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
The tournament, which aims to discover young athletes to be developed for the various national teams, is important for coach Lazo, as he has a chance to redeem himself after his Northern Mindanao team failed to win a single match in the futsal event in the Palaro in Davao City in April.
Coach Dhon and his Xavier University High School Girls team won the Cagayan de Oro division meet title last year and represented the Northern Mindanao region in the Palaro.
'If they play well we have a good chance," Lazo said, adding the team has been training since they placed second to Davao City in the Mindanao finals in Davao last February.
Lazo made sure he has selected the best futsal players born in 2004 to play for the team.
"We have assembled the best players in their age group from Cagayan de Oro to form the team," he said.
Lazo has selected players from St. Mary's School in Macasandig, St. Mary's Academy in Carmen, Rosevale School, Bulua National High School, and Xavier University High School.
Leading the team is the tall and flexible goalkeeper Chavonne Joelle Uy, one of the three football-playing nieces of Cagayan de Oro Vice Mayor Kikang Uy.
Uy is only 14 but has massive experience playing football and futsal for the Higala Football Club and St. Mary's School in Macasandig since grade school.
She will be the starting keeper for the formidable SMS Futsal team in the coming Department of Education district and division meets. She will get support from team captain Makaella Ann Lazo of Xavier University High School and Malaika Ingrid Chavez of St. Mary's School up front.
Anchoring the team's defense will be Gail Loking of St. Mary's School, while controlling the middle will be Liezel Catamco of Bulua National High School.
Completing the team are Fatima Arcadio of Rosevale School, Kahlista Kyan Kaamino also of Rosevale School, Jewel Actub of St. Mary Academy of Carmen, Marie Sebial of Bulua National High School, Norjean Palates of Canitoan High School, and Ellaliene Micabalo of Lumbia National High School.
The Cagayan de Oro girls' futsal team is expected to face tough competition from powerhouse teams in Luzon, the Visayas and other qualifiers from Mindanao -- Davao City and Zamboanga City. The opening ceremonies will be on August 25 while competition proper will begin on August 26. (Jack Biantan)