F. Marinos, 4Gives enter finals

F. Marinos’ Grace Choi, right, and Isamu United’s Princess Alcantara ward off each other as they fight for the ball during the second half of their semis game in the girls U17 division of the Saipan Soccer School’s 2017 Youth Summer Futsal Tournament yesterday at the TSL Sports Complex. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Guinevere Borja towed F. Marinos to the finals of the girls U17 division of the Saipan Soccer School’s 2017 Youth Summer Futsal Tournament after drilling a hat trick in their 4-1 victory over Isamu United in their semis game yesterday at the TSL Sports Complex.

Borja drilled all three goals in the first half to give F. Marinos cushion, while Julianne Hall registered the other goal for the team, which will collide with Marianas Health Armada in the division title game tomorrow at 6:30pm. Armada earlier notched the first finals berth after stunning the top-ranked Hakone FC, 2-1, in their semis showdown last Wednesday.

The second-ranked F. Marinos made sure Hakone FC’s misfortunes will not happen to the team, as Borja took over right in the first half. With a comfortable lead, going into the final 20 minutes of the semis game, F. Marinos wisely used the clock, moving the ball around while taking several attempts when opportunities came. Hall then capitalized on one of those occasions as she knocked in a cross with still 11 minutes left in the game.

Isamu United, on the other hand, continued to struggle before Therese Millare found an opening and ended the team’s drought down to the last four minutes and change of the match and with F. Marinos had the win in the bag.

F. Marinos is favored in tomorrow’s winner-take-all finals as it defeated Marianas Health Armada twice in the preliminary games, 5-2, and 4-0.

Meanwhile, also set to play in a title game tomorrow is 4Gives, which moved to the finale following a 10-6 victory against NMI U16 in their semis match in the boys U16 division yesterday.

4Gives eased past NMI U16 in the second half to earn the right to face Saipan Elite in the division finals. The second half started with 4Gives clinging to a 4-3 lead before the persistent NMI U16 failed to counter-attack in the closing stage of the semis game and bowed out of contention. Andruw Omelau lifted 4Gives to the semis win after firing five goals, while Ronnel Ocanada chipped in three and David Mafnas had one. 4Gives got an own goal from NMI U16’s defensive lapse. John Ezekiel also registered five goals in a losing effort for NMI U16, which drew one goal from Brandon Tenorio.

4Gives will duel Saipan Elite for the division crown at 5:30pm. The two finalists settled for a draw in their first meeting, 6-6, while Saipan Elite eked out a 4-3 triumph in their second collision.

Before the Saipan Elite-4Gives title tiff, SSS and Kanoa Football Club 2 will battle for the co-ed U12 championship at 4:30pm.