AREA 2 survived a tough challenge from NOPSSCEA to cruise to an 8-7 penalty shootout win in the finals of the Negros Occidental Palarong Panlalawigan 2018 secondary boys football at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos football field.
Goal keeper Jan Reven Diola came up with a game-winning save for the Area 2 during the penalty shootout, which served as the marginal point in the tightly-contested gold medal match.
“This victory is a huge achievement for us,” Diola said in an interview after the game. “Reaching the finals was already a huge bonus for us. Our mindset is to give our best and play our game.”
On their way to the gold medal match, Cadiz City-based Area 2 recovered from a 0-1 deficit before forcing Area 4 (Bago City) to penalty shootout, where the former escaped with a 4-2 victory.
Aside from Diola, also part of the Area 2 team were Jerry Boy De Lara, Arvie Norca, Aljes Batain, Shadrack Escaro, Cle John Escaro Jr., Sam Louie John Alegre, John Raymond Aquio, Joebert Cordova, Sherwin Santillan.
Other players in the squad were Karl Pablea, Christian Sadia, Vonce Dion Ventura, Alan Mark Rosales, Cris Mark Sedurifa, Jonan Lozada, and Christopher Javier.
“We are confident that our team will be able to win our matches in the (WVRAA Meet) next year,” said head coach Lucky Bogat Ambos. “Just like what we did here in the Palarong Panlalawigan, we are looking to shock our oppositions there.”/PN
