Photo by Ashley Loyloy
Mindanao State University - General Santos City --- College of Engineering (COE) ASTEEGs and College of Education (COEd) Mentors engaged in one of the fiercest strife in Intramurals 2023 when they met with a football championship on the line at huddled University Football Field on Monday, October 9.
While ASTEEGs boast as twice Intramurals finalists and winners of the title in the last two years, Mentors have seized control of their twice-to-beat advantage, giving the defending champions a handful.
Heightened emotions demonstrated on the pitch during the first encounter, it was a frenzied game in the latter part of the second half until Jazer Lizondra of COE fouled Kyle Roel Songcayawon, resulting in a skirmish.
Thereafter, COEd's winger Ashraf Mamalumpong intentionally hit Lizondra in the face, further complicating matters. The game continued in extra time, with brawlers Lizondra and Mamalumpong temporarily thrown out while still being eligible to play in the following match.
Scores were deadlocked in the crucial penalty showdown, Mentors’ first kicker Joshua Madamecilla showed nerves of steel when he stepped up to fire the ball past ASTEEGs’ goalkeeper Jubaimar Maquiling into the bottom left corner, it was then responded with a well-placed shot by COE team captain Darwin Decena to put the mark up to par.
Fast forward to the challenging striking, COEd’s midfielder Dan Alim Jr. and fullback Ernest Jay Castillon both missed a scoring effort, which the remaining kickers of ASTEEGs were then apted to lead their team on a perfect five-of-five penalty score, extending the game to a win or go home.
In the second fixture, Lizondra and Mamalumpong returned to the field with great composure and discipline in the hopes of bringing home the crown.
With worn-out players, the game still appeared to be emulating the preceding one as it entered the second penalty shootout with no-goal scored.
Role players, Madamecilla and Decena did not waste their opportunities as they secured the opening kicker assignment for their teams. When the game finally ended in a close 4-4 sketch, Mentors' final striker Castillon footed an ineffective shot on Maquiling's hands, causing him to miss another opportunity.
Having a strong desire to win the gold, COE midfielder and last kicker, Jeymart Macondan scored the decisive penalty kick for the ASTEEGs to cap off their historic championship campaign, winning the tournament’s championship for the third consecutive year.
“Importante para sa akoa ang championship namo karon kay napatunayan namo nga kusog gihapon ang Engineering bisa’g daghan nawala na key players sa among team,” remarked COE captain and now three-time Intramurals football champion Decena, as he listed their championship as one of the most noteworthy triumphs of his football career.
“Naga-pasalamat ko sa akong mga teammates sa pagsalig ug pagtuo nila nga madaog mi karong Intrams ug depensahan among korona,” he added.
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