MP United still perfect in PH Cup

MP United U14 players and coach Norman Del Rosario, standing right, pose for a photo before playing in the 2014 Pilipinas Cup last Monday at the Nuvali Evoliving Field in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Philippines. (Contributed Photo)

In the U14 division, MP United bagged wins against Higala FC, 1-0, last Monday at Nuvali Evoliving Field in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and versus Loyola Meralco Sparks yesterday, 2-1.

Sun Joon Tenorio scored the lone goal in MP United’s debut in the Pilipinas Cup, converting a 25-yard free kick from the left side (upper 90) in the second half of their exciting match against Higala FC, a Cagayan De Oro-based team in the southern part of the Philippines and one of the top teams in Palarong Pambansa (PH National Games).

On the defensive end, goalkeeper Clayton Izuka stood his ground, as he was accounted for more than 14 saves, according to coach Norman Del Rosario.

“We played as a team in the first game and never gave up on defense despite our opponent’s so many opportunities to score,” Del Rosario said in a message sent to Saipan Tribune last Monday night.

Less than 24 hours after prevailing in their debut in the four-day competition, MP United U14 returned to the pitch and faced Loyola Meralco Sparks, which is one of the favored teams in the division. The Sparks scored the first goal in the match, but Joshua Abragan came into MP United’s rescue with the equalizer to keep their upset bid alive.

MP United went on to complete the big win against its highly regarded foe with Tenorio scoring his second goal in the tournament.

With its unbeaten 2-0 mark in the U14 division, MP United takes the solo lead in Group A. Up next for the club is FC Forza Academy (1-1) and another victory will boost the Typhoons’ playoff bid. Only the top finisher in each pool (four) will make it to the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the club’s U17 team duplicated the U14 squad’s feat after pulling off similar 1-0 wins over University of Sto. Tomas High School last Monday and Manila Soccer Academy yesterday.

MP United’s U17 crew first dueled UST last Monday and escaped with the close win off Tanapon Unsa’s goal and Christopher Aninzo’s big defensive stop.

According to Del Rosario, Unasa broke away from a phalanx of UST defenders in the second half and used his left foot to kick the ball from the middle. UST then had a chance to tie the match in the closing minutes of the second half, but Aninzo stepped in for a save, denying an upper 90 shot from one of UST’s strikers.

Against Manila Soccer Academy, Unsa was also the scorer for MP United, but this time he drew help from Jehn Joyner and Julian Roxas.

“It was a give and go play that start with Jehn, then to Julian, and finally to Jack,” del Rosario said. “It was one tough match.”

Del Rosario and company are in for another hard game today as they face University of Batangas, which won its first three games in the U17 division. The anticipated MP United-University of Batangas tiff is set for 9am with the winner likely to finish on top of Group C and gain a playoff seat.

The division has three groups and only the top team (not Top 2 as earlier reported) in each pool will advance to the semis. The fourth and last semis slot will be given to the team with the second best record (combining all three groups).

“With that format, there’s no room for relaxing. We have to play very hard every game. Against Batangas, we need to follow and executive our game plan. We need every player’s help,” del Rosario said.