MP United closing in on two division titles

MP United’s Rohan Basnet, left, waits for the ball, while Paire defenders stay close to him during their boys U14 division game in the first round of the NMIFA youth league at the Koblerville Elementary School Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

MP United Football Club is in a good position to win two division championships in the 2017 NMIFA Youth Spring League.

In the boys U14 age group, MP United stays on top with its 6-2-0 win-draw-loss record following a 6-3 victory over Paire FC (0-2-5) last Saturday at the Koblerville Elementary School Field.

Rohan Basnet powered MP United past Paire after scoring four goals. He had his first two shots in the second and 10th minute and drilled back-to-back goals (52nd and 68th) to close out for MP United. Rintaro Miyawaki, David Meyers Jr., and Jon Villagomez added one goal apiece for MP United. Kaden Church earned two goals for Paire, while brother Max contributed one.

MP United now has 20 points and ahead by two wins and 5 points (20-15) against TanHoldings (4-3-1), which also won its game last week versus Matansa, 2-1. Aloyzeu Angeles and Oliver Fajardo scored in the fifth and 62nd minute, respectively, for TanHoldings, while Lolobeyong Benito knocked in the only goal for Matansa (2-3-3).

TanHoldings and MP United will collide in an important game this Saturday. An MP United victory will give the club the division crown, while a loss will keep TanHoldings in the race for the spring championship. After their duel this Saturday, both TanHoldings and MP United have one game left (April 22) in the double-round robin competition and a win by the latter against Kanoa (2-2-3) will still give MPU the title even if it loses to the former this weekend.

Kanoa gained only its second win this season following a 4-3 triumph over Shirley’s FC. Brian Lumbao canned the winning goal for Kanoa in the 54 th minute, while Jim Kurt Maniago hit two goals for the team, and Merrick Toves chipped in one. Brandon Tenorio, Romel Mendoza, and Matthrew Tawagon scored for Shirley’s (3-0-5).

Meanwhile, in the boys U17 age group, MP United is ahead with its 6-0-0 record and will have to wait for its match against TanHoldings on April 22 to get its hand at the division title. MP United also need to win its game against Matansa (1-1-4) this Saturday to put more pressure on TanHoldings.

TanHoldings is MP United’s closest rival for the spring championship, as the former now has a 6-0-1 card after shutting down Paire last Saturday at the Hopwood Junior High School Field, 4-0.

Four different players lit up the board for TanHoldings with Anthony Fruit breaking the ice in the 24th minute and Mareko Tekopua giving the squad a 2-0 advantage three minutes later. Mark Esalan then made it three in row for TanHoldings with his conversion just three minutes into the 40-minute second half, while Paire (0-0-6) continued its silence. John Robert Tam closed out for TanHoldings with his goal in the 74th minute.

In the other U17 division game, Kanoa and Matansa battled in a scoreless draw.