IVAN Caiña is only 22 years-old but in less than one year as the men’s football varsity coach of Xavier Universty, he has already cemented a legacy in the local football community by leading the biggest school in town to the prestigious Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) 7th Mindanao Games football title in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
I was not however not an easy win for the XU boys as they endured a long travel to Davao de Norte before they could splash two impressive wins away from home.
It was also sweet for the CdO lads as their exposure against the veterans in the Crusaders Cup paid off despite of failing to qualify for the championship.
Kent Encarnacion scored the winner against sister team Ateneo de Zamboanga of Region 9 while Adamson Deloria blasted the winning goal in their 1-0 win over another sister team Ateneo de Davao.
They cemented their title finish when the Fr. Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) players from Butuan failed to show up in their scheduled match.
Other members of the XU men’s team that went to Tagum City were, Jesse Pagcaliwagan, Clarence Paderanga, Juan Fernandez, Noli Pangda, Kent Bomediano, Chazz Rosales, Rennier Española, Kyle Patron, Jobert Muring, Neil Rara, Jack Harris, Ahlirt Bahala, and John Arbon.
The XU high school girls Futsal team of coach Dhon Lazo also captured the Girls Futsal title beating FSUU, 3-1, in the championship match. The XU secondary boys team settled for the second place.
The XU men’s team will be honored with their medals and trophy presentation before the championship of the Magis FC vs Glorious Hope United FC in the 2nd Crusaders Cup football tournament set at 2 p.m. today at the Westridge Sports Park in Carmen.
Caiña will also announce the end of his short coaching stint with XU as he has been hired by Ateneo de Davao University. He will start his job with Ateneo de Davao this summer.
The semis and the final of the Crusaders 2 x 2 challenge will also be held this afternoon in one of the small pitches in Westridge. (l.biantan@gmail.com)