TEARS fell from the eyes of the young Negrense booters Friday caused by mixed emotions as the Negros 1st U18 squad won their division title and saved their younger sisters’ pride, following the Negros 1st U14 shinbusters’ defeat via penalty shoot-out in their championship match at home against Rizal Football Association (RIFA) for the 1st Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon Jr. National Football Selection 2011 at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
Regine Metillo scored all of Negros 1st goals to lead a come-from-behind victory over visiting Iloilo FA, 4-3.
The Warren Concepcion-mentored Negros 1st started the run with Metillo’s first goal in the 11th minute on a high ball that dropped just behind Iloilo’s keeper, booking a 1-0 advantage for the home team.
But the Ilonggas immediately pushed for an open field attack, isolating the Negrense keeper on defense. With the Ilonggas imposing a 1-2 pass inside the box, it gave Alina Rose Araneta the space to score an equalizer from the left wing in the 15th minute.
After ten minutes of battle for ball possession, Iloilo’s Barbie Ann Sobredo scored another goal in the 25th minute to put the Ilonggas on top at the end of the first period, 2-1.
At the start of the second half, the host-team started strong with several clear targets at Iloilo’s goal. But it was only in the 55th minute that Metillo scored her second goal, forcing the second deadlock of the game at 2-2.
Inspired by her twin goals, Metillo sizzled on offense and booted in another goal in the 61st minute to give the Negrense the advantage. However, Iloilo’s Sarah Brito silenced the crowd with her equalizer in the 65th minute, tying the game at 3-3.
Metillo took up the cudgels for the Negrenses lasses as she made the eventual winning goal for Negros 1st in the 69th minute and finally sealed the victory for the Negrenses.
On the other hand, it took all 11 booters from each team to take part in the penalty shootout for the championship title in the U14 girls division.
Negros 1st almost had the victory at hand before RIFA’s last kicker Shannon Alaine Arthur silenced the rejoicing Negrense crowd when she finally sent her team’s winning goal on the upper left side of Negros 1st keeper Eva Katherine Montelibano. The Negrenses lost by a point, 3-4.
Scoring for the RIFA were Arthur, Ma. Beatrice Isobel Velasco, Michaela Celine Adriano and Ana Betarice delos Reyes while February Gae a Saluria, Mikaela de Asis and Ma. Carmela Gavillo scored for Negros 1st.
Meanwhile, Davao FA grabbed the 2nd runner-up honors after defeating San Carlos Football Club. Nina Ricci Yanto (32’) and Veronica Anne Molano (71’) led Davao while Janice Samillano gave San Carlos its lone goal in the early 6th minute.
Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on April 16, 2011.
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