Source: Manila Times
Two members of the Philippine Miracle Team, which saw action in the recent Deloitte Street Child World Cup footbal tournament in Durban, South Africa, will be given a chance to see action in future international meets.
Peter Moran, one of the brains behind the formation of the squad, announced this yesterday after the members of the team were presented during a press conference at the Amici Restaurant in Makati City.
Scoring aces Mario Titoy and Noriel Pineones are among those being groomed to join a national squad which will see action in the eighth Homeless World Cup when it reels off on Sept. 19 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“After this team, we have started the ball rolling for another group to join next year’s Street Child World Cup. But Mario and Noriel will move on to another level,” said Moran, who heads the Henry V. Moran Foundation.
But Moran said he will coordinate with HWC Philippine Team organizer William Shaw and Tuloy sa Don Bosco coordinator Fr. Rocky Evangelista on how to best answer the needs of the kids, who made the country proud in South Africa by topping the consolation round and winning the Shield Trophy.
“We can possibly have a program here where we could get them, hire them and get these kids to train other kids for international competitions,” Moran said.
This will be the third time that the Philippines will assemble a team for the HWC.
The first was in 2008, when a Philippine squad went to Melbourne, Australia, and the second time was last year in Milan, Italy.
The Philippine Miracle Team distinguished themselves in Durban by bouncing back after two losses in the elimination round with a win over Brazil, 6-2, in the consolation round, and against South Africa, 2-1.
The international soccerfest was held for players aged 14 to 16 years old, who lived on the streets for most of their lives.
The members of the team were selected and trained in a year-round program under the Henry V. Moran Foundation, with the support of Gawad Kalinga and Nayon ng Kabataan.
The other members of the team are Erica Mae Inocencio, Raymond Elona, Jayson Simangan, Ladylyn Ampe, Lorelyn Cabanayan, Roberto Olandez, Blueshark Gaerlan and Gerry Boy Joaquino.
For coach Jess Landagan, the tournament was an opportunity to show what they have learned about teamwork.
“After losing two games, sabi ko sa kanila, just enjoy the game. Kapag may opportunity na manalo, kunin natin. Hayun, nakabawi sila. Natuwa ako at nasunod nila ang instructions ko,” said Landagan.
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