CEBU TEAMS RULE FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL
Cebu elite teams dominate opposition in PFF Festival of Football CFA official credits exposure to local tourneys for improved play Tournament serves as PFF selection process for Boys and Girls U13, U15 teams
The Cebu Football Association’s elite teams showed they are a cut above the rest of the competition as they routed their foes in the Philippine Football Federation’s Festival of Football in San Carlos City over the weekend.
“Nindot kaayo ug showing. Their level of play was really high,” said Raffy Musni, CFA’s officer in charge for grassroots development.
The Cebu Boys Under-13 squad, led by Ray Calo, had the most impressive scoreline, 15-0, against Negros Occidental, while it also beat Iloilo, 4-2.
“Next to Cebu, the other team looked like beginners. Their passing, level of play was really high,” said Musni.
The Boys 15 team, led by Epifanio Ynot with national team members Luis Joaquin Buyco and Trevor Lood, scored three wins against Negros Occidental, 3-1, Leyte, 3-0, and Iloilo, 1-0.
The other members of the team are Juan Miguel Galang, Tristan Karl Enad, Paul Vincent Mapula, Jacob Alexander Braun, Julian Matheu Cabatingan, Richard Angelo Osmeña, Zachary Miles Friars, Enrico Miguel Yap, Stephen John Soria, Vince Kristi Ybanez, Ethan Charles Deller, Matthew Sebastian Suico, John Michael Rufin, Charles Clarence Unabia, Josh Rupert Asignar and Christian Joseph Lumapas.
Musni credited the players’ exposure to tournaments in Cebu for their improved showing, the best so far by Cebu elite teams in the FOF, which serves as the PFF’s selection process for the youth teams.
“They are getting better because of the tournaments in Cebu and our coaches don’t have any difficulties in training them. They just give them the program and the plays and they can readily execute,” said Musni, who also thanked Atty. Mark Tolentino of Cebu Province for the support of the four teams.
The girls teams were equally succesful, with the Under 15 routing Negros Oriental, 6-1, and Iloilo, 6-1.
The team is coached by Rose Ton Bariñan and is composed of Helary Jane Arinque, Dominique Badinas, Martienne Jenn Cabatingan, Argen May Garcia, Marie Rose Incierto, Chloe Eunice Lucero, Ysabela Janekins Maxi- no, Kyla Monique Megio, Lyzha Ayn Morales, Trizza Mae Musni, Melyn Nadera, Arianne Shannice Poblacion, Danica Pongasi, Regine Quiliope, Pinky Soco, Jhanes Toring, Satsuki Toyoshima and Rizzamae Ugbaniel.
The Cebu Girls Under-13 team also won twice against Negros Occidental, 10-1, and 10-2, and beat Negros Oriental, 4-1.
The team is coached by Joanna Subid and is composed of Meshesabel Campomanes, Jaimella Chen Ramos, Rae Tolentino, Gwen Estrada, Reema Jumawan, Kyza Stephan Colina, Maegan Alforque, Celina Salazar, Mary Vahnez Bulagao, Jodi Banzon, Mish Tzishe Castanares, Freia Colina, Jelena Soon, Joshper Halili, Ma. Biza Tayo and Nexah Nacorda.
After the FOF, the PFF national coaching staff will identify which of the Cebuano players will join the national training pool for the Boys and Girls 13 and 15-Under teams. /