TanHoldings, Kanoa ahead

TanHoldings Football Club’s Taka Borja, right, uses his right foot to deflect a kick from Paire FC’s Ethan Taisacan during their boys U15 division game in the 2018 NMIFA Spring Youth League last Saturday at the Koblerville Elementary School Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

TanHoldings Football Club and Kanoa FC are the frontrunners in two divisions of the 2018 NMIFA Spring Youth League as matches were completed last Saturday at the various school pitches on Saipan.

In the co-ed U13 age group, TanHoldings kept the top spot with its 6-0-0 record, while the club is slightly ahead in the boys U18 class. Kanoa duplicated TanHoldings’ feat, as the former enjoys the top view in the boys U15 and girls U16 divisions.

TanHoldings-1 (6-0-0 win-loss draw record) moved two wins up against the second-running MP United (4-1-1) after whipping TanHoldings-2, 14-3 in their co-ed U13 game at the Hopwood Middle School Field. Anthony Bergancia and Harry Domulot teamed up in demolishing TanHoldings-2 (0-0-5) as they each scored four goals in the rout.

In other results in the division, Kanoa-1 (3-1-2) edged MP United, 6-5, while Matansa (3-0-3) outclassed Kanoa-2 (1-0-5), 3-1.

Kanoa-2 mounted a comeback in the second half after facing a 2-4 deficit in the first. John Mark Anastacio, Markus Toves, Taehun Han, and Joe Emil Antonio delivered the goals for Kanoa in the second half. Han and Toves also scored one goal each in the first 30 minutes of the match, while MP United was held to one goal in the second half, courtesy of Andrew Chung’s shot, to lose the lead and the match.

In the Matansa-Kanoa-2 tiff, Nazzir Altamirano and Philip Megino registered one goal apiece for the former, which got an own goal off it opponent’s booboo. Markus Pelisamen tallied the lone goal for Kanoa-2.

GIRLS U16
Kanoa 2, Shirley’s 2
Kanoa, with its 3-1-0 mark, retained the No. 1 spot in the team standings after forcing a draw against rival Shirley’s at the Francisco M. Sablan Middle School Field.

Sue Ann Huevas made the equalizer for Kanoa in the 48th minute, while Paulynn Joyce recorded the other goal for the division leader. Shirley’s drew its pair of goals from Jerlyn Castillo, who hit the board in the 20th and 43rd minute.

Southern United 6, Paire 1
In the second game, Southern United notched its first win after beating Paire.

Keisha Deleon Guerrero had a hat trick for Southern United, which got an own goal and one each from Mariana Castro and Nathanette Blas. River Miles made the only goal for Paire.

TanHoldings 4, Matansa 1
TanHoldings is still in the shadow of Kanoa, as it improved to a 3-1-1 mark following a victory over Matansa in the third game last weekend.

Jenny Ann Capayas nailed the pair of goals for TanHoldings, while Mary Joy Aniana and Judy Ann Andebor contributed one each. Jenelyn Palad drilled the lone goal for Matansa.

BOYS U16
Kanoa 4, MPU 4
Over at the Koblerville Elementary School, Kanoa (4-2-0) is ahead in the standings after a draw against MP United (3-2-1).

Ian Karl Maniago had a hat trick for Kanoa, making two of his goals in the second half to keep his squad undefeated. Merrick Toves tallied the under goal for Kanoa in the second half, which started with MP United on top, 2-1.

Oliver Fajardo and Rintaro Miyawaki scored for MP United in the first half and the latter added two more in the second.

TanHoldings 13, Paire
In the second game, TanHoldings crushed Paire.

Taka Borja powered TanHoldings to the easy win after firing six goals, while Brandon Tenorio chipped in three, and Reginald Pascual added two.

Shirley’s 2, Matansa 0
Shirley’s got its first win of the season after pulling off an upset over Matansa.

David Joson and Ryan Jay Pangelinan scored for Shirley’s in the 16th and 33rd minute, respectively, to end their team’s five-game losing skid.

BOYS U18
MPU 7, Kanoa 0
MP United earned its third win after pinning down Kanoa in the first game at the Hopwood pitch.

Sunjoon Tenorio and Miyawaki had a pair of goals for MP United, which now has a 3-1-0 mark—the same record TanHoldings has. MP United, however has to settle for the No. 2 spot in the standings, as TanHoldings, which drew a bye last week, had more goals after four games, 22-19.

Matansa 3, NDT 1
Matansa posted its second victory after topping the National Development Team.

Ronnel Ocanada registered two goals for Matansa, while Clarence Cabang chipped in one. Brittany Wally delivered the lone goal for the winless NDT.