Makati FC opens title defense

Makati FC will defend its Paul Parker overall title when the JSSL Singapore Academy 7’s 2024 begins on Thursday.

Banking on the Girls 2011’s impressive championship run and the Finals appearances by its Girls 2009, Boys 2011 and Boys 2009, Makati FC secured the overall crown last year.

In this year’s four-day competition, Makati FC, which also ruled in 2018, will field 14 teams.

Among those who are joining are members of the Girls 2008 team which bagged second place in the Gothia World Youth Cup last year.

Cebu standout Yona de la Calzada, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental’s Joyce Gemberva and San Carlos, Negros Occidental’s Shine Cadayona hope to make an impact together with the youth club’s new recruits Raven Undan, an 8-year-old standout from Barili, Cebu, and Gab Callao, a 10-year-old stalwart from Dumaguete City.

Makati FC has also fielded entries in the Girls 2010, 2012 and 2014 divisions, as well as in Boys 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 to bolster its Paul Parker trophy bid.

“Makati FC’s commitment goes beyond winning titles, it’s about inspiring and leading the local football scene to strive for excellence and push boundaries, setting the standard for future generations to follow,” club president SeLu Lozano said.

The participation will mark Makati FC’s eighth year of competing in Asia’s premier youth football championship.

Since the club first joined the tournament in 2016, it has opened more doors for other Philippine clubs to travel and join the highly anticipated youth tournament with over 400 teams competing from 17 countries.

Makati FC has played a very important role in developing young football athletes in the Philippines since 1976, as Tomas Lozano, a former Real Madrid FC player, pioneered youth football in the country.