By Edri K. Aznar
THE first National Milo Little Olympics secondary division football champion, Abellana National School (ANS), is geared up for a repeat of its championship run despite having a different lineup.
Although most of its key players have left the championship team, ANS head coach Francis Ramirez is still optimistic his squad will defend its title, starting with the 15th Milo Little Olympics � Visayas this Saturday at the Cebu City Sports Complex (CCSC).
�Our preparations are ongoing and we are adjusting to the seven-a-side format.
Hopefully we will be able to defend our crown in the Visayas and the nationals,� said Ramirez.
Majority of the team�s top players, which includes ace striker and team captain Carlito Abadia, are not coming back this year because they are no longer eligible to play.
New lineup
�Only five players are left from last year�s team,� Ramirez said.
Despite the major alteration in ANS�s roster, Ramirez is still confident they will be as equally competitive as last year because the new players are familiar with the team�s system.
The players from ANS�s 14-Under squad, who also acted as the main team�s practice players last year, filled the void left by Abadia and company.
�The good thing is that we still have veterans left who can man the team,� said Ramirez.
ANS beat Paref-Springdale, 3-1, in the final match of the Visayas finals behind the heroics of Abadia, who scored the final two goals.
ANS went on to win the national Milo Little Olympics title in dominating fashion, beating Mindanao, 6-0, in October.
A total of 15 teams will be competing for the secondary division title of the Visayas leg of the 15th Milo Little Olympics. The winner will represent Visayas in the national tournament.
Ramirez thinks their biggest threat for the title will be Springdale. �Because they get better every year,� Ramirez said.
�Don Bosco is also there because they are the same team that won the Palarong Pamabansa. Sacred Heart is also good and we also have to watch out for the out-of-town team, Siliman, which has a striker who played for the national team.�
The 15th Milo Little Olympics �Visayas will have a press conference and launching, which will be attended by Vice Mayor Joy Young, Nestle Philippines Inc. top executive Pat Goc-ong, organizer Ricky Ballesteros and tournament manager Dr. Danilo Villadolid, today at the CCSC.
Sun Star Cebu
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