4 teams settle for draws in futsal tourney

Competition in the 2014 SSS Christmas Youth Futsal Tournament is getting tougher as two matches last Saturday at the TSL Sports Complex ended in draws.

In one of the two co-ed U12 games, the Lil Rascals and Orange Rangers engaged in a standoff, 5-5.

The Orange Rangers forced a deadlock after collecting two goals in the second half. Ian Lubao and Merrick Toves scored the two goals for the Orange Rangers in the final half. Toves earlier had a brace in the first half, while John Mark Anastacio added one to keep the Orange Rangers in the match, as they were behind by only one, 3-4.

The Lil Rascals took the slim lead after the first 20 minutes of play behind the hat-trick of Mark Esalan. Taka Borja logged the other goal for the Lil Rascals in the first half. In the second half, the Lil Rascal failed to keep the lead and settled for the draw, as they registered only one goal, courtesy of Esalan’s shot.

A Lady Blues player steps on the ball, while a Girly Flowers & Rainbows defender keeps a close eye on her during their game in the 2014 SSS Christmas Youth Futsal Tournament last week at the TSL Sports Complex. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The other draw in last weekend’s matches happened in the boys U15 division game that featured Real Crispy Pata and Astig Futsal.

Astig Futsal seemed on its way to an easy win when it took a 3-0 lead in the first half, but Real Crispy Pata fought back in the final frame after also tallying three goals.

Clayton Izuka, Cody Leon, and Keeanu Diaz notched one goal apiece for Crispy Pata to even up the match, while Anthony Fruit, Steve Leung, and Hark Galarian were the scorers for Astig Futsal in the first half.

In other results last Friday, Team Betde and Lady Blues downed separate opponents.

In the other co-ed U12 tiff, Team Betde outclassed Sisig United, 10-6.

Thaiphi Austria and John Michael Rojas took turns in leading Team Betde to another victory. Austria started things out for Team Betde, firing four goals in the first half, which ended with his team threatening a breakaway, 5-1. Angelo Bergancia nailed the other goal for team Betde, while Rinto Takahashi was the lone Sisig United player to make it to the board in the first half.

In the second and final half, Rojas took over from Austria, as the former knocked in four goals. Austria added one more to complete Team Betde’s domination. Sisig United matched Team Betde’s five goals in the second half after getting two apiece from Takahashi and Rintaro Miyawaki and one from Jon Villagomez.

In the girls U15 game, Lady Blues topped the Orange Rangers, 9-3.

Lady Blues cruised to victory after going all out in the second half. Lady Blues led by only one at the break, 2-1, but pulled away in the second half when it drew goals from seven different players.

Angela Carreon and Diana Maniacop were among the scorers for Lady Blues in the second half and they also drilled on goal apiece in the opening 20 minutes of the match. Katrina Costales, Jerlyn Castillo, De Jana Muna, Jasmine Phan, and Negahr Rastguiy also hit the board for Lady Blues in the second half.

Paulyn Grace Joyce led Orange Rangers with her two goals in the second half, but did not get the much needed support from his teammates. Only two Orange Rangers scored against the Lady Blues with Princess Alcantara recording one in the first half.