MANILA – The Cebu International School Girls 17 team did what its Boys 15 team couldn't - win a penalty shoot out - as it fished out a runner-up finish in the 10th Alaska Football Cup at the Alabang Golf and Country Club.
The CIS ladies had to survive two straight penalty shoot-outs in the quarterfinals and semifinals to arrange the finals match against De La Salle Zobel, where it lost 0-1.
On the other hand, after topping its group, CIS Boys 15 team lost steam in the quarterfinals, dropping a close 3-2 duel to Del Monte Bukidon.
"Before going to the Alaska, we adopted a hockey technique called the shooter tutor," CIS athletic director Brian Bedford said, "We bought 30 balls, and have a kid shoot them all, then go back,"
It apparently worked wonders for its girls team as Monica Moraza, Mara Reinam Amanda Darza, Stephani Sharpe all scored in its 7-6 win over South Hill in the quarterfinals.
South Hill took a 2-0 lead before Gabi Mercado came up with the heroics to level the match. Mercado re directed Darza's pass and a scored on off a corner in the dying seconds to force the shoot out.
CIS, which topped its group with 10 points on three wins and a draw, next faced Faith Academy, where keeper Danica Ronquillo took over the heroics.
After Darza miss her shot, Ronquillo stopped the next two kickers of Faith before Aboitiz and Sharpe converted their shots for a 4-2 win.
"We had a lot of shoot-outs today, and we missed only one shot, that's not bad," Bedford said.
However, the shoot out wins must have taxed the girls as they run out of steam in the finals. A long shot from half court, got past Ronquillo for a 1-0 lead in the 9th minute and CIS couldn't get back as the defense held them on check.
Darza couldn't find her way in the wing, while Mercado couldn't get past her marker.
CIS got its chance after Moraza got fouled but her free kick from 20 yards sailed high, as they settled for another runner up finish to DLS, which has won the title for three straight years.
Most of the girls will have a shot at redemption today, when they play in the Girls 15 group.
Meanwhile, after a scoreless draw, the Boys 17 quarterfinal also went into shoot out, however, Michael Sharpe hit the bar while a potential equalizer from keeper Miguel Atienza was nowhere near the mark.
Sharpe, Paulo Casa and most of the Boys 17 team will be back on the pitch today for the Boys 15 match, where they will be hoping for better results.
CIS Boys 13 match also missed a quarterfinal shot by just three goals, after finishing with 10 points for a tie with British School Manila. CIS defeated Southville, 10-0, St Francis, 7-0, while losing to Faith Academy, 1-3.