PIC clinches Division B title

Pacific Islands Club coach Jovi Chavez, standing right, and his players pose for a photo before playing against Shirley’s Football Club in the Division B title game in the 2019 Spring Men’s M-League last Sunday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The young guns of Pacific Islands Club were on target as they shot down Shirley’s Football Club, 6-0, in their Division B title game in the 2019 Spring Men’s M-League last Sunday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

The lopsided victory completed PIC’s upset in the playoff round, as the team showed up for a pair of winner-take-all matches after being seeded No. 3 behind regular season top finisher Shirley’s and Sun Palace.

With the core of its roster made up of U18 players, PIC wasted no time running up and down the pitch and eluding the much older Shirley’s defenders to create several scoring opportunities. The eventual champion’s aggressiveness led to an early goal with Albert Bergancia making it to the board in the 11th minute.

Four more PIC players also hit their mark in the remainder of the game, while Shirley’s could not keep up, as it was repeatedly frustrated by its faster and fitter opponent.

PIC closed out the first half with a 3-0 lead, as Floyd Muna found the back of the net in the 14th minute and John Guiller Canape did the same in the 31st. Canape had another goal in the second half, as he closed out for PIC with his shot in the 82nd minute. Earlier in the 46th minute, Bailey Spaeth gave PIC its fourth goal, while Brandon Tenorio made it a 5-0 lead in the 62nd minute.

Sweep for Kanoa, MP United
Meanwhile, division champions Kanoa Football Club and MP United won their respective make-up games last Thursday for a sweep in the 2019 NMIFA Spring Youth League.

MP United blanked the NMI Boys U15 National Team, 7-0, to finish the double-round robin competition in the boys U18 division with an 8-0-0 win-draw-loss record. Sunjoon Tenorio scored three goals in their last match, Dai Podziewski added two, while Jonathan Lim and Kaden Church chipped in one apiece.

In the other boys U18 make-up match, Kanoa outclassed Matansa, 3-0. Andruw Omelau had a brace, while Sebastien Manabat delivered the other goal for Kanoa, which wrapped up the season with a 2-0-6 slate.

Kanoa also ended its campaign in the girls U19 on a winning note after topping Matansa, 7-2.

Paulyn Joyce made a hat trick, Sharmaine Francisco contributed two goals, and Sue Anne Huevos and Krizel Tuazon had one apiece for Kanoa, which was undefeated in eight games. Matansa, which finished the season with only two wins, got its goals from Barbara Peteru.

MP United placed second to Kanoa in the final team standings, as the former was handed a free win (sixth) against Southen United Football Club (forfeit).

A Pacific Islands Club player, left, chases the ball ahead of a Shirley’s Football Club defender during their Division B title match in the 2019 Spring Men’s M-League last Sunday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)