Cebu and Mandaue City gear up for futsal event Friday

CEBU CITY – The Cebu City and Mandaue City teams are all geared up for the futsal event of the Batang Pinoy 2015 National Championship here in Cebu starting Friday, Nov. 27.

Don Bosco Technology Center is back to defend its crown in the boys futsal category representing Cebu City.

This DBTC team, however, is back with a virtually new roster.

“Only one player is retained from last year because the cut off for this year is 2000 and now it is 1999,” DBTC head coach Glen Ramos said.

The roster of the Cebu City team composed of Kyle Ronquillo, Ethan Mendoza, Prince Uy, Mark Unabia, John Alcoaeba, Roygiv Barro, Rafael Gorre, Christian Pacana, Gianrosher Teves, Carlos Orale, Joshua Castro, Jonas Anor, Churcill Jubac and Joaquin Buyco.

The Cebu City Girl’s team, on the other hand, is represented by St. Theresa’s College.

STC hasn’t had much preparation but they are ready to compete against some of the country’s best.

“We had no time to prepare because we just came off the Sun.Star Cup. We will just play the way we usually play, no new plays.

At least we played during the STC Futsal Cup, which served as our practice games. All we can do now for the next few days is to get back the feeling for the ball and make the necessary adjustments when game time comes,” said STC head coach Jinggoy Roa, who will be assisted by Edito Baylon.

Though not one of the tournament favorites, Mandaue City, represented by Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC), vowed to give a good fight.

“It’s tough to say of our chances. Futsal needs a lot of time for preparation. I expect DBTC and John Carmona’s girls team to be favorites. But we’ll be competitive and provide a challenge,” said SHS-AdC athletic director Rico Navarro.

The Mandaue City boy’s squad is mentored by Hayato Ayabe, while their girl counterparts is coached by Rose Ton Bariñan.