By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Elise Montinola is set to bolster the preparations of the Canberra Buglas Region (CBR) XI Girls Under-17 team as it gears up for a series of local, regional and national friendly matches.

Montinola, the team captain of the University of St. La Salle – Integrated School Grade 10 Futsal Girls and skipper of the Canberra Buglas Region squad that won the silver medal at the 33rd Kanga Cup in Australia, will lead the Girls Under-17 side in its buildup for upcoming competitions.

“We shall continue to learn from past major tournaments to reach our highest potential … in the coming future soccer endeavor,” Montinola said.

Backed by Gardenville United Football Club Inc. and the Filipino Canberra Community in Australia, the CBR XI U-17 team recently added another silver medal to its resume.

The squad finished runner-up at the Annual Pintaflores Soccer Event at the San Julio Football Field in San Carlos City on December 13, after bowing in a 3-1 penalty shootout loss to Classico de San Carlos in the Girls Under-17 championship match.

CBR XI advanced to the knockout stage after a dominant showing in Group C, where it set up a clash against Tanjay FC.

The tournament featured teams from across the Negros Island Region (NIR) and beyond, including Leon Kilat FC Dumaguete, Classico DSC FC Blue, Kanlaon Hijos FC, Classico DSC FC Yellow, Futbolitos FC Dumaguete, CST-R Golden Eagles, Masbate City Futsal Women’s, Silay Lokal FC, and Calatrava FC.

“It was an honor to have participated in the most prestigious NIR soccer event … bringing home the silver medal and trophy for the first time,” CBR XI GU17 fourth assistant coach Earl Bona said./ASC, WDJ