ANS bows to NORFA in Pintaflores bootfest

CEBU, Philippines - The chances of Abellana National School (ANS) getting this year’s title faltered as they bowed to Negros Oriental Football Association (NOrFA)-Dumaguete, 2-1, yesterday in the 4th Pintaflores Under-16 National Invitational Tournament at the San Julio field in San Carlos City.

NOrFA-Dumaguete started hot after securing the first goal at the 21st minute and got another goal in 68th minute off a one-on-one encounter with the ANS goalkeeper, to take a 2-goal lead.

The Francis Ramirez-mentored ANS had many attempts, but failed until Kurt Ryan Arranguez knocked in a penalty kick after Rogelio Castillon was fouled by a NOrFA player.

No more goals were scored by either side since then.

Prior to this match, ANS was able to establish a good start after surpassing the prowess of the athletes from the football capital of the Philippines in Iloilo City, Barotak Nuevo, 3-2, in a curtain-raiser battle.

This was followed by another win against Don Bosco-Victorias, 6-2, courtesy of a hat trick by Pedro Diao and one goal apiece from Kurt Ryan Arranguez, John Gomora and Rogelio Castillon.

Interestingly, ANS had a tough fight against defending champion, San Carlos City, as it ended with a draw, 2-2, the other day.

San Carlos City got the 2-0 advantage over ANS in 12 and 50 minutes, respectively. With a never-say-die attitude, ANS’ John Michael Gomora was able to secure a goal in 75 minutes and another one came on the 88th minute by Rogelio Castillon.

Meanwhile, ANS may not be able to get the championship but they could still have a good second place finish after they had an identical standing with NOrFA-Dumaguete, 2-1-1 win-loss-draw record with ANS having the goal difference advantage.

To recall, ANS was not able to qualify last year but during the 2nd edition of the said tourney, the Cebu teams, ANS and Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC), fought for the championship with DBTC emerging as the champion.

This year, the tournament follows the single round robin format and the champion will be determined by the number of wins.

“I was not expecting that we will be defeated today (yesterday) against Dumaguete because we had a great fight against San Carlos City. My players went lax and they had bad plays inside the court.

“Even if we lose the chance to get this year’s championship, we will try our best to secure the second place,” said Ramirez. 

The Cebu bets will try to have a must-win fight against Bukidnon at 7:00 this morning in order to get the second place. (FREEMAN)