Springdale starts strong in Milo Olympics

DESPITE fielding a relatively young lineup, Paref Springdale is starting strong in the secondary football event of the Milo Little Olympics Visayas Finals, routing Blessed John XXIII, 8-0, yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

“Most of my players are Under 14s because we really lost a lot of players,” said Springdale coach Mario Ceniza, who is coaching in his first tournament after the lifting of his three-year ban by the Cebu Football Association.



But despite the age disparity, Springdale looked good in their debut yesterday, running roughshod over a struggling BJS squad, needing only two minutes to get the first goal.

Ryan James Haosen redirected Pericles Dakay Jr.’s cross past Martin Ubas for the first attempt and first goal, while Sabin Veloso flirted with a second goal in the 10th, but his quick turn and shot kissed the crossbar.

But lady luck smiled on Springdale anew as it had two quick goals in the 12th and 14th.  A BJS defender redirected Dakay’s corner to their own net and before they could recover, Veloso finally got on the scoresheet with a wicked shot from left flank to make it 3-0. 

In the 22nd, it was Dakay’s turn to hit the cross bar but three minutes later, Dakay found an unmarked Haosen who got his second goal in a simple tap-in.  In the 27th, Haosen could have gotten his hat trick but his effort from right flank just sailed a few feet wide.

If BJS expected Springdale to take it easy in the second half, they were wrong.  Enzo Ceniza—whose sleek passing from midfield caused headaches for the BJS defense—got on the score sheet, while Dakay Jr. completed a second half hat trick for the final score.

The win earned Springdale the right to face the winner between the University of San Carlos and Bright Academy for a spot in the next round.  Bright earlier routed Woodridge Academy, 8-0.

Also yesterday, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu banked on Andrew Joseph Pelikano’s three goals to rout Look National High School, 4-0, with four players from Look getting ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.  Sacred Heart will face the winner between Compostela and MTI in the next round. MTI got off a strong start last Wednesay with a 12-0 win over Talisay. In the other games, CIC-Mandaue routed St. Joseph, 6-0, University of Southern Philippines Foundation blanked St. Thomas 2-0; and Maria Montessori International School beat Bankal National High School, 4-1.

In the next round, CIC-Mandaue will face Abellana National School with the winner taking on MMIS, while USPF was set to take on defending champion and football powerhouse Don Bosco Technological Center.

In the Elementary Division, Sacred Heart School-Hijas routed Stl Joseph, 4-0, while Woodridge got past by City Central School, 3-2, and Springdale blanked CIC-Mandaue, 3-0.