NEGROS Occidental elementary and secondary football teams are in rigid preparations for the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet 2018 on February 18 to 23 at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
Coaches Noreil Revilla and Ian Combate said they have augmented their respective teams with players from other schools to ensure that they have a stronger team in the regionals, especially that they will challenge long-time rival Iloilo.
Revilla said that his team is composed of players from Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association (Nopsscea) champion team Trinity Christian School, including Marjune Levi Badoy, Wilton Waynne Balili, Lanze Andrei Catalan, Alfred Zuri Celeste, Robert Joshua Indiape, Lance Lawrence Locsin, King Jame Montano, Jed Amiel Tan, Niel Bryan Tan, Charles Joshua Taran, Cydgewyck Archie Andres Tecson, Ronan Christian Treyes and Asher Sean Vicera.
Others are St. John’s Institute’s Timothy Miguel Sarrosa and Joshua Anthony Yee; University of St. La Salle’s Matthew Gabriel Jochico; and Rodrigo Marina III from Colegio de Sta. Rita in San Carlos City.
Revilla said that they still need to work harder although some of his players have already international exposure after playing in the Soong Chin Ling Cup Under 12 Youth Football last year in Qinhuangdao and Beijing, China.
“We can’t underestimate our opponents. We have to train harder especially that our players are shorter compared to their counterparts,” said Revilla, who will be assisted by Florence Panogaling.
Secondary boys head coach Combate shared the thought.
“This will be a tough battle and we have to be prepared,” he said.
Combate’s side will be anchored by STI West Negros University players Niel John Panes, Bryant John Alianza, Michael Anthony Fernandez, Clayton Wayne Domecillo, Mark Christian Gubatayao, Eleazar Eata, Trex Sermonia, Role Van Valderrama, Zakary Lacson, Adonis Abela, Alexander Van Realino, Melenuel Lamoreno, and Jimiel Valiao; University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos’ Paul Klinbert Cordova and Luis Clauor; University of St. La Salle’s John Leon Gumban, and Strauss Randy Soronio; and Brylle Brian Engasta of Julio Ledesma National High School in San Carlos City.
The Negrense booters will battle teams from host-Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, Aklan and Guiramas.