Milo football: Test exemption helped encourage STC squad

CEBU, Philippines – An exemption from a trigonometry examination motivated the St. Theresa's College lady booters in snatching the coveted women's tiara of the 15th Milo Little Olympics Visayas regional Finals football event last Saturday at the Cebu   City Sports Center field.

It was a sweet and memorable victory for STC because after trying for three years, they finally bagged the women's championship crown.

STC surpassed a tightly-contested battle as they lorded it over Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu in their nerve-wracking final clash.

It was SHS-AdC, which exploded the first bomb, after Anne Ugarte successfully delivered the ball to the goal on the 17th minute.

The gritty STC squad never lost hope as they were able to tie the score courtesy of Ruth Mantilla on the 24th minute, 1-1.

In injury time, STC's Aiko Manaloto delivered the finishing blow to make it 2-1.

STC coach Ella Grace Averilla said that they were not expecting to get the championship because of the height advantage that their opponents have and the girls were not able to practice because of the periodical examinations.

"We were really happy with this unexpected victory because despite the height disadvantage and the lack of practice due to exams, the girls were determined to win the battle," said Averilla.

Averilla even revealed that one of her motivation to her senior and junior student-powered squad was an exemption from the trigonometry examination.

"That's why after the game, they were really yelling 'trigo" many times because that's the only motivation I could offer to them since I'm their teacher in that subject," Averilla said.

During the semifinals, STC overpowered Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Jesus, 2-1, courtesy of Manaloto and Addy Abad.

On the other hand, SHS-AdC earned its final ticket after blanking Cebu City National Science High School , 9-0, with a menacing eight goals from Ugarte and one from the reigning Ms. CESAFI, Amanda Booth.

In the battle for third place, SHS-Hijas thrashed CCNSHS, 3-0, paced by Brigette Te, Alexis Casa and Cheska Uy.

In the men's bracket, Abellana National School retained its regional title after clobbering Don Bosco College , 2-1.

After three years of title drought, PAREF-Springdale was back in the limelight after reigning supreme in the elementary boys' category.

The Mario Ceniza-mentored Springdale fended off Canduman Elementary School in dominating fashion, 7-2.

Ceniza's son, Mario Lorenzo, and Sabin Veloso contributed three goals apiece while Ryan James Haosen added one for the triumph.

Kenneth Ian Domingo and Lendon Christian Colina led Canduman's scorers in a losing cause.

"The boys did a great job. It's good that we will now be representing in the nationals for the first time. We are proud to bring the name of Visayas to Cagayan de Oro City. We will do our best to win," said Ceniza. (FREEMAN)