Oleai/WSR tops Aloha Maid Cup

Oleai Elementary School and William S. Reyes Elementary School players teamed up in ruling the spring edition of the U12 NEA Aloha Maid Cup 2015 held last Saturday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.

Oleai and William S. Reyes Elementary School players pose with NMIFA technical director Kiyoshi Sekiguchi, standing left, NMIFA president Jerry Tan, standing third left, and NEA staff Ruselle Zapanta, standing right, for a group photo after receiving the championship trophy in the U12 NEA Aloha Maid Cup 2015 held last Saturday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.
(Contributed Photo)

Oleai/WSR topped the seven team tournament organized by Northern Mariana Islands Football Association’s National Elite Academy after outclassing Garapan Elementary School in the finals, 4-1. Mark Esalan scored two goals in the title win, while Sebastian Manabat and Ian Maniago chipped in one goal apiece. Taka Borja nailed the lone goal for Garapan.

Joining Esalan, Manabat, and Maniago on the champion squad are Marlouie Ancheta, Bensler Benjamin, William Celeste, Kristelle Itaas, Jaydee Jose, Jaron Montenegro, Jaibelle Neimide, Joey Noble, Brandon Tenorio, Jeffrey Palacios, John Thongaram, Merrick Toves, and Marior Tyneth.

San Vicente, TSL, San Antonio, Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, and Kagman were the other participating squads in the weekend competition, which was a culmination of NEA’s training program for the season for co-ed U12 players.

The seven teams were split into two groups with Oleai/WSR in Pool B and placing first in the group with its 2-1-0 win-draw-loss record. Oleai/WSR downed Garapan in its first pool play match, 2-0, before whipping Kagman, 7-0, to advance to the semifinals. Garapan took the other Final Four berth in Pool B as it also defeated Kagman, 7-1, for a 1-0-1 slate.

In Pool A, TSL and San Antonio booked the two semis tickets. TSL ruled the group with its 2-1-0 mark and victories over San Vicente, 4-0, and GTC, 4-2. San Antonio was ranked second with its 1-0-2 slate, forcing a draw against TSL, 1-1, and GTC, 2-2, and prevailing against San Vicente, 3-0.

San Antonio was then pitted against Oleai/WSR in the crossover semifinals with the latter eking out a 6-4 win to march into the title game. The other Final Four pairing was also a close duel with Garapan nosing out TSL, 4-3. TSL and San Antonio dropped to the consolation round and battled for third place with the Octopus outclassing the former in a shootout, 4-2. Floyd Muna, Travis Camacho, Mark Salamat, and Joaquin Fleming scored for San Antonio in the shootout, while TSL got its two penalty shot conversions from Kaden Church and Jon Villagomez. Blake Mister and Rintaro Miyawaki nailed the two goals for TSL in regulation, while Muna hit the brace for San Antonio.

San Antonio along with champion Oleai/WSR and Garapan were awarded trophies at the end of the tournament. NMIFA president Jerry Tan presented the trophies to the Top 3 finishers and was joined in the awards ceremony by NMIFA technical director Kiyoshi Sekiguchi and general secretary Ross Zapanta.