Aboitiz Boys 12 and 15 Cup on Oct. 8


ITS another season and another chance to renew the rivalry between youth powers Paref Springdale and Don Bosco Technological Center (DBTC) as the Aboitiz Cup kicks off with the Boys 12 and 15 tournament on Oct. 8-9 at the Cebu International School (CIS).

DBTC defeated Springdale 3-0 to win the 10th Milo Olympics elementary football crown before Paref returned the favor as they booted out the Bosconians in the semis en route to winning the Aboitiz Youth Festival last Sept. 18.

"Murag grudge rematch na ni," Springdale coach Mario Ceniza quipped.

Rikko Cedric de Guzman will lead the charge for the Bosconians as they seek to add another crown. De Guzman was named the Most Outstanding Athlete for football in the Milo Olympics.

"We will be fielding the same team (in the Milo) and they have been practicing regularly under coach Joselito Bono," DBTC athletic director Bro Mari Aberasturi said.

However the two schools won't have a clear road to the finals as the other teams in the tourney are capable of springing a surprise.

The other entries are Bright Academy, CIS, Cebu Inmaculda Concepcion - Mandaue (CICM), Don Bosco Boys Home (DBBH), Hiroshi FC, San Roque FC (SRFC), City Central School (CCS), University of San Carlos North Campus (USC-N), Patid Bola Football Academy (Pabol FA) and the SOS Children's Village.

Bright Academy won the division in the San Roque Football Fiesta while Hiroshi, DBBH and CIS are always a threat to any tournament.

The tournament also serves as a practicum for the participants of the Referee Certification Course to be conducted by Philippine Football Federation referee's committee chair Cyril Dofitas.

"They will be asked to officiate then Cyril will evaluate them" said Cebu Football Association president Jonathan Maximo.

After the Boys' 12 tourney, the Boys' 15 tournament starts still at CIS.

Those who have confirmed their participation are Blessed John 23rd Seminary, BA, CIS, CICM, DBBH, DBTC, FC Inter Cebu, Hiroshi, Springdale, SRFC and Abellana National School, Don Bosco Missionary Seminary and University of Southern Philippines Foundation.

Competition will be tougher in the division with majority of the teams considered as serious contenders.

According to Aberasturi half of their team will be from the squad which lost to CIS in the U17 finals while Ceniza said their team will made up of the 2002 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association champion.

"I've also heard that the CIS team (which won the Aboitiz U17 crown) are all eligible in the 15," Aberasturi said.

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