Manning Cup MVPs get Digicel treat
Manning Cup title sponsors Digicel have handed over four smartphones to the most valuable players (MVPs) in the last round of the Manning Cup quarter-finals.
Jamaica College’s (JC) Kevaughn Wilson, Omari Laing of St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS), Teyshawn Mattis of Kingston College (KC), and Zhaine Pinnock (Mona High) all received trophies and Samsung A03 phones.
Digicel’s Junior Brand Manager Kaydean Webley said it’s all about rewarding and encouraging success.
“As the schoolboy football season comes to a close, these exceptional young ballers are rising to the top,” she said. “As a brand that’s always investing in our young people, we are all about celebrating their success every step of the way. Congratulations to our MVPs.”
The Manning Cup is down to four teams in defending champions KC, JC, STATHS, and Mona High, and these players are all playing integral roles.
Mattis scored two goals as KC dispatched Charlie Smith 5-0, and he says his second goal was the better one as he collected a long ball and fired past the keeper.
“I would say my second goal because of the angle and the power I have to put against the ball to get the shot right to beat the keeper,” he said. “This is one of my best performances of the season so far. My best was the first game against Calabar.”
Wilson, the son of former national player Kevin “Pele” Wilson, scored a beauty as JC beat Haile Selassie 2-0, and he was beaming from ear to ear.
“Normally, taking the shot, I always lean back, so my father told me when I am kicking, get my chest over the ball and I executed,” young Wilson said.
“There is not really any pressure because I know my quality and I have confidence in myself. But it is good to know that I am the son of a famous footballer in the country.”
Pinnock, who netted Mona’s winning goal against St George’s College, said once they play to the system of their Head Coach Craig Butler, they cannot lose the Manning Cup.
Meanwhile, Omari Laing, who netted a late scorcher that gave STATHS a 1-0 win over Wolmer’s Boys’, once again paid tribute to his older brother Omar Laing, who also played for STATHS but was killed earlier this year.
“We are happy to reach this far for my brother and to make him feel proud,” Laing said.