WSR vs SIS in IFL boys finale

William S. Reyes Elementary School players and coaches huddle after winning against Koblerville Elementary School in the semis round of the 2014 NMIFA U12 Interscholastic Football League yesterday at the WSR Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

WSR went 2-0 in the four-team semis round, following a 6-2 victory over Koblerville Elementary School at the former’s home turf yesterday. The Kingfishers’ other win came last Tuesday at the Hopwood Junior High School Field against Dandan Middle School, 3-2.

The Jude Loste-coached WSR leaned on Ian Mariago to win its first two games. Mariago scored four of the Kingfishers’ goals against Koblerville yesterday with his first one made in the 15th minute. Sebastian Manabat drilled the second one four minutes later, giving WSR a 2-0 halftime edge.

Mariago also registered WSR’s first goal in the second half (25th minute), while Taidon Langu also made it to the board off a header in the 29th minute. Mariago capped his long-game brilliance with back-to-back goals with the last one off a header and with only one minute left in the match. Mariago’s third goal was logged in the 37th minute, while Koblerville’s two goals came from Chan Yang Woo and Luis Claridades.

The WSR forward also tallied the team’s three goals in their close victory over Dandan, including the insurance in the 32nd minute of the match. Mariago converted the first two in the second and fourth minute, while Dandan lit up the board for the first time in the 31st off Neil Brian Sagum’s shot. Sagum also scored Dandan’s second goal in the 37th minute.

Meanwhile, SIS also prevailed against Dandan, 4-0, yesterday to duplicate WSR’s perfect 2-0 record in the semis round.

The shutout win was a fitting follow-up on the Geckos’ 8-0 demolition of Koblerville last Tuesday. Rintaro Miyawaki starred in SIS’ rout of Koblerville after making a hat-trick. Do Hyeon Kim added two goals, while Brian Youn, Go Sekiguchi, and Daniele Colombo added one apiece. The names of SIS’ scorers against Dandan were unavailable at press time.

The Geckos, who finished second to Whispering Palms last season, and the Kingfishers conclude the round-robin semis today when they collide at Hopwood. Regardless of the results of today’s match, SIS and WSR are already assured of the finals stint as they both defeated Koblerville and Dandan in the single-elimination playoffs.

The Geckos and Kingfishers advanced to the semis after finishing in the Top 2 in the North Group, which also includes Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School and Garapan Elementary School. In the South Group, Koblerville and Dandan took the Top 2 spots against San Vicente Elementary School and Kagman Elementary School.

Meanwhile, results of the girls semis round will be reported in Saipan Tribune’s Friday edition.