Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Excelsior's Alanzo Adlam (right) uses an arm to hold off a charging Mark Robinson of Jamaica College in the sceond half of their opening Manning Cup game at Jarrett Park on Saturday. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. - PHOTO BY PAUL REID
FOURTEEN-TIME champions Kingston College (KC) takes on St. Jago High in the feature encounter in one of eight ISSA/Pepsi/JN Manning Cup games at Prison Oval today at 3:30 p.m.
In the other Group E games, Holy Trinity host Bridgeport and Eltham vs Meadowbrook, while in Group A, Jose Marti host Mona and Cumberland travel to Kingston Technical High School (KTHS).
In Group C, Norman Manley open their season by welcoming Campion to Tinson Pen, Clan Carthy host Trench Town and St. Andrew Technical (STATHS) host Penwood.
The Trevor 'Jumpy' Harris-coached KC, hunting their first title since 1986, take on a St. Jago side in what is deemed to be the "group of death" with four of the six teams all capable to advancing.
KC failed to advance to the quarter-final stage last year and will be hoping for a good start to enhance their chances.
However, the gold and green clad Spanish Town standard bearers, which was edged out by Meadowbrook for a quarter-final spot last year, should be no pushovers and could spoil the party for the famed Purples.
Eltham and Holy Trinity are considered the Cinderella teams of the group, but they are quite capable of holding their own and can create a few upsets.
Title favourites Bridgeport, with the core of last year's squad, take on Holy Trinity and should secure an important win, while last year's quarter-finalist Meadowbrook should get the better of Eltham.
Last year's surprise quarter-finalist, Mona High, have retained six starting players and should come away with a convincing win over Jose Marti and jump to the top of Group A, following Jamaica College and Excelsior's 2-2 stalemate on Saturday.,
Kingston Technical, based on last year's performances against Cumberland, should come away with all three points. Last year, KTHS won 3-1 and 2-0 and could continue their dominance over their Portmore rivals.
In Group C, Norman Manley, the 2002 winners, face a tricky game against a Campion College team which improved steadily last year. The STATHS, Penwood and the Clan Carthy, Trench Town encounters can go either way.
TODAY'S GAMES
Zone A
Jose Marti vs. Mona
KTHS vs. Cumberland
Zone C
Norman Manley vs. Campion
Clan Carthy vs. Trench Town
STATHS vs. Penwood
Zone E
Holy Trinity vs. Bridgeport
Eltham vs. Meadowbrook
St. Jago vs. KC
