Cebu Football
The Beautiful Game in the beautiful island.
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.
MULBACHS FC defied the odds as it fished out a third-place finish in the 21st Iligan Fiesta Football Festival at the Global Steel Football Field in Iligan City last Sept. 24-25.
Arriving just after noon on the first day, the team had to forego lunch to catch up with the schedule and despite hunger pangs managed to stay undefeated in four matches.
Madille Salina's strike in the fourth had Mulbachs 1-0 over Marawi, while Vasti Morong scored the lone goal in another 1-0 win over Iligan.
Mulbachs ran out of gas in the third game to settle for a 0-0 draw, and Angelica Cabias’ last-minute equalizer had it 1-1 against Cagayan de Oro as it clinched a semifinal spot with eight points.
Mulbachs’ luck, however, ran out in the semis as it lost before regaining composure and outlasted another Cagayan team in a tough shootout in the battle for third, with first-time keeper Salinas coming up with the big plays.
Team captain Angelica Cabias said she was satisfied with her team's performance, considering that engine trouble delayed their boat trip to Cagayan for hours leading to their late arrival on opening day.
They only had seven players with no coach and impressed Iligan FA president Lloyd Lapinig that they earned another invite for another tournament in December.
Other members of the team are Jore Carl Igot, Gay Walker, Ma. Loraine Allero, and Nyce Jonayon.
MULBACHS FC defied the odds as it fished out a third-place finish in the 21st Iligan Fiesta Football Festival at the Global Steel Football Field in Iligan City last Sept. 24-25.
Arriving just after noon on the first day, the team had to forego lunch to catch up with the schedule and despite hunger pangs managed to stay undefeated in four matches.
Madille Salina's strike in the fourth had Mulbachs 1-0 over Marawi, while Vasti Morong scored the lone goal in another 1-0 win over Iligan.
Mulbachs ran out of gas in the third game to settle for a 0-0 draw, and Angelica Cabias’ last-minute equalizer had it 1-1 against Cagayan de Oro as it clinched a semifinal spot with eight points.
Mulbachs’ luck, however, ran out in the semis as it lost before regaining composure and outlasted another Cagayan team in a tough shootout in the battle for third, with first-time keeper Salinas coming up with the big plays.
Team captain Angelica Cabias said she was satisfied with her team's performance, considering that engine trouble delayed their boat trip to Cagayan for hours leading to their late arrival on opening day.
They only had seven players with no coach and impressed Iligan FA president Lloyd Lapinig that they earned another invite for another tournament in December.
Other members of the team are Jore Carl Igot, Gay Walker, Ma. Loraine Allero, and Nyce Jonayon.
Arriving just after noon on the first day, the team had to forego lunch to catch up with the schedule and despite hunger pangs managed to stay undefeated in four matches.
Madille Salina's strike in the fourth had Mulbachs 1-0 over Marawi, while Vasti Morong scored the lone goal in another 1-0 win over Iligan.
Mulbachs ran out of gas in the third game to settle for a 0-0 draw, and Angelica Cabias’ last-minute equalizer had it 1-1 against Cagayan de Oro as it clinched a semifinal spot with eight points.
Mulbachs’ luck, however, ran out in the semis as it lost before regaining composure and outlasted another Cagayan team in a tough shootout in the battle for third, with first-time keeper Salinas coming up with the big plays.
Team captain Angelica Cabias said she was satisfied with her team's performance, considering that engine trouble delayed their boat trip to Cagayan for hours leading to their late arrival on opening day.
They only had seven players with no coach and impressed Iligan FA president Lloyd Lapinig that they earned another invite for another tournament in December.
Other members of the team are Jore Carl Igot, Gay Walker, Ma. Loraine Allero, and Nyce Jonayon.
Another generation of footballers will get to pick up the game with the holding of the Thirsty Players 6 Cup on Nov.Judging from the P6 finals of the Aboitiz Youth Festival at USC-TC, it will be a slambang affair with the action off the field just as exciting as the action on.
BOB Marley in action: Pass the dutchie from the left hand side, I say pass the dutchie from the left hand side. No 13. "Not the balls, please not the balls"
DANCESPORT: Imagine a gown on the USC player and a tuxedo on Number 3, and you have Cha-cha.
Photos by Allan Cuizon
UV striker Junard Aguilar falls after a hard tackle by a UC defender in their 3-1 win yesterday at SHS-J. Sunstar photo by Allan Cuizon
IT SEEMS the mantra of invincibility of the University of San Jose-Recoletos has been lifted.
The four-time Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) football champion dropped its second straight match, 1-2, to the surging University of Southern Philippines Foundation yesterday at the Sacred Heart School Jesuit-field in the Ayala Business Park.
On the other hand, the undefeated UV Grenbooters defeated the University of Cebu Webmasters, 3-1, for their fourth straight win.
It was only the second loss for the USJ-R Jaguars since the Cesafi started. Last week, they lost to UV, 0-2.
"The last time USJ-R lost was in 2000, in a penalty shootout against USC (University of San Carlos)," said USPF assistant coach and former USJ-R keeper Jesus Singson Jr.
Since then, USJ-R has not dropped a match and has ruled collegiate football in dominating fashion as it racked up four straight Cesafi crowns.
Things looked to be headed for another USJ-R win yesterday after Jade Paghubasan struck in the 34th minute for a 1-0 lead at the half, but USPF's Nobushiro Kawashita ran circles around the defense in the 55th to level the count.
"It was an impressive goal; he slipped past three defenders and flicked it past the keeper," said referee Randy Estremos.
Edward Adlawan scored the game winner in the 64th as USPF moved up to second in the standings with seven points on two wins and a draw against the University of Cebu.
Meanwhile, UV's Junard Aguilar added another to his season total of eight goals after converting the penalty in the 16th, while Freddie Rica made it 2-0 in the 22nd.
George Hangalay's perfectly struck free kick in the 80th allowed UC to narrow the lead to 2-1 but Kurt Acre ended their jubilation with a strike in the 85th to seal UV's win.
Things got rough in the dying minutes with Aguilar earning a yellow while Daryl Tan sits out UC's next match after receiving a red card.
In its final match on Sunday, UV will take on cellar-dweller CIT, which lost to USC, 6-0, yesterday.
JUST as their hardcourt brothers suffered their first defeat in five years, the University of the Visayas Greenbooters are poised for a perfect elimination round as they face the University of Cebu today at the Sacred Heart School-Jesuit field in the Ayala Business Park.
The UC Webmasters ended UV's 57-game win streak with a 88-76 win at the Lancers’ homecourt last Thursday. Today, the UV Greenbooters, cruising on a three-game win streak, will have the chance to get even with the Webmasters as they go for win No.4 before trying for a perfect season against winless Cebu Institute of Technology in their final assignment next week.
The Greenbooters’ morale is currently at an all-time high as they are fresh off dealing the defending champion University of San-Jose Recoletos its first loss in years with a 2-0 win last Sunday.
Top-striker Junard Aguilar scored both goals, tallying eight goals already in UV's first three wins, and is expected to play with the same intensity today.
Just like the UV Greenlancers in basketball, the USJ-R Jaguars are the kings of Cesafi football having won all four Cesafi crowns so far – something the UV Greenbooters want to end this year.
"The only tough team left is USJ-R if we meet again," UV assistant coach Francis Ramirez said.
Ramirez’s wards earlier logged a 4-1 win over the University of San Carlos and an 11-2 bashing of the University of Southern Philippines.
UV’s final assignment is against cellar-dweller Cebu Institute of Technology, which got on the wrong end of a 10-0 rout by USJ-R in the league’s opening match.
The UC Webmasters ended UV's 57-game win streak with a 88-76 win at the Lancers’ homecourt last Thursday. Today, the UV Greenbooters, cruising on a three-game win streak, will have the chance to get even with the Webmasters as they go for win No.4 before trying for a perfect season against winless Cebu Institute of Technology in their final assignment next week.
The Greenbooters’ morale is currently at an all-time high as they are fresh off dealing the defending champion University of San-Jose Recoletos its first loss in years with a 2-0 win last Sunday.
Top-striker Junard Aguilar scored both goals, tallying eight goals already in UV's first three wins, and is expected to play with the same intensity today.
Just like the UV Greenlancers in basketball, the USJ-R Jaguars are the kings of Cesafi football having won all four Cesafi crowns so far – something the UV Greenbooters want to end this year.
"The only tough team left is USJ-R if we meet again," UV assistant coach Francis Ramirez said.
Ramirez’s wards earlier logged a 4-1 win over the University of San Carlos and an 11-2 bashing of the University of Southern Philippines.
UV’s final assignment is against cellar-dweller Cebu Institute of Technology, which got on the wrong end of a 10-0 rout by USJ-R in the league’s opening match.
MARIO Ceniza is inviting all footballers born in 1992 and 1993 to join the second trials for the Center For Football Excellence (CFE) at 2 pm today at the San Roque Parish Football Field.
"The kids should bring their birth certificates or in the case for those who have dual citizenship, their passport," Ceniza told Sunstar.
The kids will undergo one-on-one drills and passing exercises and will be pitied against each other in small-sided games to gauge their skills.
"After this we will conduct a third phase and from there we will select 22 to 25 players who will join the CFE," Ceniza said.
After the selection of the CFE pool, Ceniza will be conducting the regular training of the kids and will pass periodic reports to the Philippine Football Federation.
Ceniza, whose former wards in Carmen National School, Michael Casas and Arnie Pasenabo is now with the national team, has been tasked by PFF to run the Cebu CFE. The other CFEs are in Dumaguete City and Dipolog.
The PFF is also planning to hold a National Camp for all the CFEs early next year and will select from the participants the team that will represent the country in the Asian Football Confederation in June next year. The Cebu Football Association is also looking to host that festival.
The ambitious 10-year-program is geared to producing the first gold in the Southeast Asian Games for the Philippines in 2015.
"The kids should bring their birth certificates or in the case for those who have dual citizenship, their passport," Ceniza told Sunstar.
The kids will undergo one-on-one drills and passing exercises and will be pitied against each other in small-sided games to gauge their skills.
"After this we will conduct a third phase and from there we will select 22 to 25 players who will join the CFE," Ceniza said.
After the selection of the CFE pool, Ceniza will be conducting the regular training of the kids and will pass periodic reports to the Philippine Football Federation.
Ceniza, whose former wards in Carmen National School, Michael Casas and Arnie Pasenabo is now with the national team, has been tasked by PFF to run the Cebu CFE. The other CFEs are in Dumaguete City and Dipolog.
The PFF is also planning to hold a National Camp for all the CFEs early next year and will select from the participants the team that will represent the country in the Asian Football Confederation in June next year. The Cebu Football Association is also looking to host that festival.
The ambitious 10-year-program is geared to producing the first gold in the Southeast Asian Games for the Philippines in 2015.
AFTER the two-day football fiesta at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center, the ninth Aboitiz football season goes full blast with a series of tournaments for the different age groups next month.
The city's football scene is expected to be even busier with the upcoming Cebu Football Association (CebuFA) referees' seminar on Oct. 7-9.
"We will first launch the Boys 15 tournament in the first weekend of October and then the Girls 15," CebuFA president Jonathan Maximo said.
After the two tournaments, the Boys 12 follows, while the Aboitiz Men's League will start after the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) football tournament ends on Oct. 23.
"The Boys 12 will be in preparation for the Cebu City Olympics in November," Maximo said.
Meanwhile, the B15 tournament is in preparation for the Philippine Football Federation Under 17 Championships in May next year, which CebuFA is bidding to host.
"We are pretty strong in that age group and we are also thinking of bidding for the Girls U-17 because we are also good in that," Maximo said.
In the Aboitiz Youth Festival, the Cebu International School swept both Boys and Girls 17 titles, beating Don Bosco Technological College and Silliman University, respectively. It was the second straight titles for both CIS
"I think there are a lot of players from that CIS team in the 15 age group," Maximo said.
There are also the upcoming Red Ribbon Youth Tournament and the Thirsty Players 6.
On the other hand, the referees' seminar will be limited to only 25 participants.
"We will screen the applicants to 25 because that's the ideal class size. It will be conducted by PFF referees committee chairman Cyril Dofitas," Maximo said.
There was also a plan to hold a coaching seminar, but it didn't push through as national coach Aries Caslib is busy preparing the RP team for the 23rd Southeast Asian Games in Bacolod City on Nov. 20 to Dec.
The city's football scene is expected to be even busier with the upcoming Cebu Football Association (CebuFA) referees' seminar on Oct. 7-9.
"We will first launch the Boys 15 tournament in the first weekend of October and then the Girls 15," CebuFA president Jonathan Maximo said.
After the two tournaments, the Boys 12 follows, while the Aboitiz Men's League will start after the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) football tournament ends on Oct. 23.
"The Boys 12 will be in preparation for the Cebu City Olympics in November," Maximo said.
Meanwhile, the B15 tournament is in preparation for the Philippine Football Federation Under 17 Championships in May next year, which CebuFA is bidding to host.
"We are pretty strong in that age group and we are also thinking of bidding for the Girls U-17 because we are also good in that," Maximo said.
In the Aboitiz Youth Festival, the Cebu International School swept both Boys and Girls 17 titles, beating Don Bosco Technological College and Silliman University, respectively. It was the second straight titles for both CIS
"I think there are a lot of players from that CIS team in the 15 age group," Maximo said.
There are also the upcoming Red Ribbon Youth Tournament and the Thirsty Players 6.
On the other hand, the referees' seminar will be limited to only 25 participants.
"We will screen the applicants to 25 because that's the ideal class size. It will be conducted by PFF referees committee chairman Cyril Dofitas," Maximo said.
There was also a plan to hold a coaching seminar, but it didn't push through as national coach Aries Caslib is busy preparing the RP team for the 23rd Southeast Asian Games in Bacolod City on Nov. 20 to Dec.
THE University of San Jose-Recoletos' bid for a fifth straight Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. football crown suffered a temporary snag after a 0-2 loss to the University of the Visayas last Sunday at the Sacred Heart School-Jesuit field.
It was UV's third straight win in the Cesafi season, putting it comfortably on top with a 3-0 mark.
Speedy striker Junard Aguilar scored both goals for the resurgent Greenbooters as they handed the Jaguars their first defeat in years.
Since the Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (CAAA) was re-christened as the Cesafi, USJ-R has won all football crowns and also went undefeated last year to win its four straight crown.
"I think since the Cesafi started, it's USJ-R's first loss," UV assistant coach Francis Ramirez said.
However, USJ-R coach Joselito Bono says otherwise, "Dili oy. napildi pud mi sa una, di lang ko kahinumdum (No, we were also beaten before, I just don't remember who)."
USJ-R will close its 2005 season with a match against University of Southern Philippines and the University of Cebu in the next two weeks.
"We'll just give it our best because there are a lot of solid teams out there," Bono said.
The win now puts UV as the favorites to win it all this year, and with Aguilar scoring goals almost wantonly, defenders may have to work harder to stop the Carmen National School alum.
In their first win against the University of San Carlos, Aguilar scored a hat trick for a 4-1 win and followed it up with another hat trick with an 11-2 whipping of the University of Southern Philippines.
It was UV's third straight win in the Cesafi season, putting it comfortably on top with a 3-0 mark.
Speedy striker Junard Aguilar scored both goals for the resurgent Greenbooters as they handed the Jaguars their first defeat in years.
Since the Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (CAAA) was re-christened as the Cesafi, USJ-R has won all football crowns and also went undefeated last year to win its four straight crown.
"I think since the Cesafi started, it's USJ-R's first loss," UV assistant coach Francis Ramirez said.
However, USJ-R coach Joselito Bono says otherwise, "Dili oy. napildi pud mi sa una, di lang ko kahinumdum (No, we were also beaten before, I just don't remember who)."
USJ-R will close its 2005 season with a match against University of Southern Philippines and the University of Cebu in the next two weeks.
"We'll just give it our best because there are a lot of solid teams out there," Bono said.
The win now puts UV as the favorites to win it all this year, and with Aguilar scoring goals almost wantonly, defenders may have to work harder to stop the Carmen National School alum.
In their first win against the University of San Carlos, Aguilar scored a hat trick for a 4-1 win and followed it up with another hat trick with an 11-2 whipping of the University of Southern Philippines.
sunstar photo by Ruel Rosillo
Practicing under a huge “torch” must work wonders for one’s game.
Kids Football Center-Pomeroy, a squad of “extras” whose practice venue is under the Olympic urn of the Cebu City Sports Center, turned a lot of heads as it topped the Players 6 division of the 9th Aboitiz Youth Festival at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center with a 4-3 win over Paref-Springdale.
“They play regularly at the Sports Center under the torch, so we decided to field them in the tournament,” said team manager, Dondon Ramos, whose squad was bankrolled by Karl Veloso.
And play they did, toying with Pabol B, 9-0, in the eliminations en route to topping their group and overcoming Pabol A in the semifinals to move to the finals match.
The final, which drew a huge crowd, saw pint-sized MVP Kurt Cuizon put the energizer bunny to shame as he kept on going and going, scoring all four goals.
At the other end, girl goalkeeper Andrea Pelicano proved she could play with the boys as she kept the Springdale strikers at bay.
Gabgab Villacin struck first for Springdale in the fifth, but 10 seconds after the restart, Cuizon dribbled past the defense and added two more to put KFC ahead at 3-1.
“It’s their second straight tournament, and their second runner-up finish,” said Springdale coach Mario Ceniza. “The team was also second in the San Roque Football Festival.”
Springdale made up for the loss with a 2-0 win over Hiroshi FC in the in the Players 12 division finals.
MVP Karl Arcenas, who stood a foot taller than the HFC defense, scored once in each half for the win.
In the Boys 17 final, Cebu International School’s Michael Sharpe scored the lone goal in a tough 1-0 win over Don Bosco College to duplicate their ladies team’s win last Saturday.
Sharpe, who played for Cebu in the Adidas Under-19 Nationals and had stints abroad, deflected Paulo Cases’ corner in the sixth, while goalkeeper Red Miguel and defender Andre Antigua held on to seal the win.
On the other hand, goalkeeper Jestoni Pelago did it all for a 2-1 shootout win over Springdale in the Boys 14. Pelago got past Paolo Pascual for the first goal and then stopped Pascual in the turnaround, paving the way for Junjun Pintuan’s game-winner.
Pintuan clinched the MVP award.
Some 1,200 players from 109 teams, including four from Dumaguete, joined the two-day football fiesta, which served as the opening salvo for the ninth Aboitiz season next month.
FOR the Cebu International School Girls 12 team, it pays to play with the boys. For
CIS' Girls 17 team, it pays to be just plain talented.
Playing for the first time in an all girls tournament, the CIS Under-12 players showed who's the better team as they whipped Bright Academy, 4-0, with Gabby Aboitiz scoring all four goal in the P12 division finals of the 9th Aboitiz Youth Football Festival at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center yesterday.
"Previously they played with the boys in the Players 10 (division) and it's good that now, they get to play against their own," CIS athletic director Brian Bedford said.
In the Girls 17 division, despite CIS splitting up its talent pool into two teams, both still made it to the semifinals against Dumaguete City teams Foundation University and Silliman University.
"I was asked why we didn't make one strong team and a weak one so we can be assured of winning the title. We split the talent - one went into the final and the other has a chance for third. This is better," said Bedford after CIS beat Foundation in the semi, while the other lost to Silliman.
In the championship, CIS scored a 2-1 shootout win against Silliman, while a bungled penalty by Amanda Darza proved costly as CIS lost, 0-1, to FU in the battle for third.
In the Girls P12 division, Aboitiz's strong kick was the biggest headache for the opposition.
Most players take it slow after getting a yellow card, but it worked otherwise for Aboitiz as she scored the first goal a minute after referee Archie Reyes booked her in the fifth.
A quick turn-and-shoot in the eighth had CIS up, 2-0. Aboitiz struck again using her pin point accuracy from a 15-yard free kick to make it 3-0.
CIS keeper Jennika Wannemacher rarely had to work as Christelle Dychangco, who was named the MVP, kept the Bright strikers at bay before Aboitiz capped her four-goal output with a rebound off her own shot in the 13th.
The rest of the team members are Bronwen Hughes, Janine Negrosa and Amanda Booth.
In the Girls P17 championship, the sleeky Mara Reina could have ended the game early but she missed a penalty and a scoreless regulation forced the shoot out, where CIS keeper Czarina Bruce came up with two big stops. Monica Moraza scored the first point and Reina redeemed herself with the game-winning shot.
In the P10 division, the wily Jun Jay Arizabal had two assists and a goal for Don Bosco's 3-0 win over Springdale before Springdale got back with a 3-1 win over Don Bosco in the P8 division.
The Aboitiz Youth Fiesta winds up today with competition in the P6, Boys 12, B14 and B17 still at USC-TC.
CIS' Girls 17 team, it pays to be just plain talented.
Playing for the first time in an all girls tournament, the CIS Under-12 players showed who's the better team as they whipped Bright Academy, 4-0, with Gabby Aboitiz scoring all four goal in the P12 division finals of the 9th Aboitiz Youth Football Festival at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center yesterday.
"Previously they played with the boys in the Players 10 (division) and it's good that now, they get to play against their own," CIS athletic director Brian Bedford said.
In the Girls 17 division, despite CIS splitting up its talent pool into two teams, both still made it to the semifinals against Dumaguete City teams Foundation University and Silliman University.
"I was asked why we didn't make one strong team and a weak one so we can be assured of winning the title. We split the talent - one went into the final and the other has a chance for third. This is better," said Bedford after CIS beat Foundation in the semi, while the other lost to Silliman.
In the championship, CIS scored a 2-1 shootout win against Silliman, while a bungled penalty by Amanda Darza proved costly as CIS lost, 0-1, to FU in the battle for third.
In the Girls P12 division, Aboitiz's strong kick was the biggest headache for the opposition.
Most players take it slow after getting a yellow card, but it worked otherwise for Aboitiz as she scored the first goal a minute after referee Archie Reyes booked her in the fifth.
A quick turn-and-shoot in the eighth had CIS up, 2-0. Aboitiz struck again using her pin point accuracy from a 15-yard free kick to make it 3-0.
CIS keeper Jennika Wannemacher rarely had to work as Christelle Dychangco, who was named the MVP, kept the Bright strikers at bay before Aboitiz capped her four-goal output with a rebound off her own shot in the 13th.
The rest of the team members are Bronwen Hughes, Janine Negrosa and Amanda Booth.
In the Girls P17 championship, the sleeky Mara Reina could have ended the game early but she missed a penalty and a scoreless regulation forced the shoot out, where CIS keeper Czarina Bruce came up with two big stops. Monica Moraza scored the first point and Reina redeemed herself with the game-winning shot.
In the P10 division, the wily Jun Jay Arizabal had two assists and a goal for Don Bosco's 3-0 win over Springdale before Springdale got back with a 3-1 win over Don Bosco in the P8 division.
The Aboitiz Youth Fiesta winds up today with competition in the P6, Boys 12, B14 and B17 still at USC-TC.
THERE is one reason why football in Cebu is growing - Aboitiz.
"Without the Aboitiz sponsoring (us), there would be no cornerstone for building football in the city," Cebu Football Association board member and Cebu International School supervisor Mark Bretherton said during the launching of the 9th Aboitiz season yesterday.
According to AGFI executive vice president the initial grant of for the first tournament nine years ago was P20,000 while this year it has ballooned to P200,000.
This year, the Cebu Football Association organized Aboitiz Cup has gone regional with four teams joining the Youth Festival this week end plus new divisions for the coming Cup competitions while a two-division Men's League will be launched on Oct.
"The Aboitiz Group Foundation Inc wanted us to go regional this year," CebuFA president Jonathan Maximo said. For the weekend tournament, teams from Silliman University, Foundation University, Dumaguete FC will send representatives.
On the other hand, Maximo said teams from Cagayan, San Carlos City and the Makati Football School wanted to send team but they heard of the Aboitiz too late and will instead join next year.
This year's Aboitiz Youth Festival has also attracted over 1,240 players in 109 teams. "The number could have been bigger but we had to turn down some of the teams because field limitations," Maximo said.
New clubs and schools who will join this yea are from Blessed John Seminary, Camp Lapulapu National High School, Cebu Institute of Technology, Center for International Education, St Scholastica, Cebu City NSHS, FC Inter Cebu, Don Bosco Missionary Seminary, San Roque FC, Bright Academy and DB Youth Pasil.
The new divisions this year are the Players 6, Girls 17 and Girls 12.
"We wanted to split the women's division and instead of just holding the women's open we want another division so there will be an incentive for the schools to put up teams," Bretherton explained.
After the youth festivals, the regular Cup type competitions for the different age bracket will follow while the Men's League will be launched middle of next month.
The AGFI though is not resting on its laurels. Plans are being made to make the Aboitiz tourney a national tournament next year, while they are also scouring for a field to address the lack of venue for Cebu football.
"Without the Aboitiz sponsoring (us), there would be no cornerstone for building football in the city," Cebu Football Association board member and Cebu International School supervisor Mark Bretherton said during the launching of the 9th Aboitiz season yesterday.
According to AGFI executive vice president the initial grant of for the first tournament nine years ago was P20,000 while this year it has ballooned to P200,000.
This year, the Cebu Football Association organized Aboitiz Cup has gone regional with four teams joining the Youth Festival this week end plus new divisions for the coming Cup competitions while a two-division Men's League will be launched on Oct.
"The Aboitiz Group Foundation Inc wanted us to go regional this year," CebuFA president Jonathan Maximo said. For the weekend tournament, teams from Silliman University, Foundation University, Dumaguete FC will send representatives.
On the other hand, Maximo said teams from Cagayan, San Carlos City and the Makati Football School wanted to send team but they heard of the Aboitiz too late and will instead join next year.
This year's Aboitiz Youth Festival has also attracted over 1,240 players in 109 teams. "The number could have been bigger but we had to turn down some of the teams because field limitations," Maximo said.
New clubs and schools who will join this yea are from Blessed John Seminary, Camp Lapulapu National High School, Cebu Institute of Technology, Center for International Education, St Scholastica, Cebu City NSHS, FC Inter Cebu, Don Bosco Missionary Seminary, San Roque FC, Bright Academy and DB Youth Pasil.
The new divisions this year are the Players 6, Girls 17 and Girls 12.
"We wanted to split the women's division and instead of just holding the women's open we want another division so there will be an incentive for the schools to put up teams," Bretherton explained.
After the youth festivals, the regular Cup type competitions for the different age bracket will follow while the Men's League will be launched middle of next month.
The AGFI though is not resting on its laurels. Plans are being made to make the Aboitiz tourney a national tournament next year, while they are also scouring for a field to address the lack of venue for Cebu football.
IF PLANS push through, Cebuanos may have something the rest of the country doesn't - a football show.
The Cebu Football Association is planning to put up a football show in the city together with Dexter Araquel, a producer of the only football show in the country, "Soccer Showdown," which closed down a few months ago.
"We are planning to put it up within this year so we can feature our local tournaments and players," CebuFA president Jonathan Maximo said.
Maximo is currently canvassing at the local channels on how much it would cost to air a weekly one-hour show. According to Maximo, the CebuFA will provide the technical management and tournaments while Araquel will provide the production outfit.
"Hopefully, it will materialize and we could get sponsors for the show," Maximo said.
The soccer show would be the next big step for the CebuFA as it brings football to one of the bigger stage - broadcast media - and they can now attract more sponsors.
"We can also feature our coming league, not just the highlights but we could also have player interviews and statistics," Maximo said.
The proposed football show is just the latest in a string of good news for local football fans.
Aside from the coming Aboitiz Men's League, which will have two divisions, Cebu has also been chosen to host one of three Center For Football Excellence in the country, headed by noted coach Mario Ceniza.
The CebuFA is also planning to bid for the hosting rights of the Asean Football Federation Youth Football Festival in the middle of next year.
The Cebu Football Association is planning to put up a football show in the city together with Dexter Araquel, a producer of the only football show in the country, "Soccer Showdown," which closed down a few months ago.
"We are planning to put it up within this year so we can feature our local tournaments and players," CebuFA president Jonathan Maximo said.
Maximo is currently canvassing at the local channels on how much it would cost to air a weekly one-hour show. According to Maximo, the CebuFA will provide the technical management and tournaments while Araquel will provide the production outfit.
"Hopefully, it will materialize and we could get sponsors for the show," Maximo said.
The soccer show would be the next big step for the CebuFA as it brings football to one of the bigger stage - broadcast media - and they can now attract more sponsors.
"We can also feature our coming league, not just the highlights but we could also have player interviews and statistics," Maximo said.
The proposed football show is just the latest in a string of good news for local football fans.
Aside from the coming Aboitiz Men's League, which will have two divisions, Cebu has also been chosen to host one of three Center For Football Excellence in the country, headed by noted coach Mario Ceniza.
The CebuFA is also planning to bid for the hosting rights of the Asean Football Federation Youth Football Festival in the middle of next year.
THE Cebu Football Association has a problem these days - albeit one that they welcome.
A record number of teams, including those from outside of Cebu, have signed up for the Aboitiz Youth Football Festival on Sept. 17-18 at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center.
The huge turn out, some 1,000 players in 100 teams, is proof of the impressive growth of youth football in Cebu, which started only in 2002.
"This is what's giving me head aches these days," CebuFA president Jonathan Maximo said, "how to accommodate all the teams in the schedule."
Aside from the local teams, teams from Foundation University and Silliman University of Dumaguete have also signed up along with San Carlos City and Liceo de Cagayan, in the event which will de divided into the Players 6, P8, P10, Boys12, B14, B17, Girls 12 and G17 divisions.
"I didn't expect the turnout to be this large; some 105 teams. But we will find ways to accommodate everybody, said Maximo, who added that five teams are already on the waitlist in the B17 category.
This year's CebuFA will also be strict with player registration incompliance with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) rule to have each player registered with the local football associations (FAs). The coaches will meet with Maximo on Tuesday for the tournament's draw and schedule.
After the Youth Festival, the CebuFA will hold a Cup competition for the various age groups, including the Men and Women's open.
"This is also inline with the various national youth tournaments next summer," Maximo said.
A record number of teams, including those from outside of Cebu, have signed up for the Aboitiz Youth Football Festival on Sept. 17-18 at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center.
The huge turn out, some 1,000 players in 100 teams, is proof of the impressive growth of youth football in Cebu, which started only in 2002.
"This is what's giving me head aches these days," CebuFA president Jonathan Maximo said, "how to accommodate all the teams in the schedule."
Aside from the local teams, teams from Foundation University and Silliman University of Dumaguete have also signed up along with San Carlos City and Liceo de Cagayan, in the event which will de divided into the Players 6, P8, P10, Boys12, B14, B17, Girls 12 and G17 divisions.
"I didn't expect the turnout to be this large; some 105 teams. But we will find ways to accommodate everybody, said Maximo, who added that five teams are already on the waitlist in the B17 category.
This year's CebuFA will also be strict with player registration incompliance with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) rule to have each player registered with the local football associations (FAs). The coaches will meet with Maximo on Tuesday for the tournament's draw and schedule.
After the Youth Festival, the CebuFA will hold a Cup competition for the various age groups, including the Men and Women's open.
"This is also inline with the various national youth tournaments next summer," Maximo said.
BASED on their showing in Pre Southeast Asian Games tournament, national coach Aries Caslib expects bigger things in men's football in the biennial meet on Nov 27 to Dec 5 at Bacolod City.
The Philippine team finished third in Group in the Pre Seag tournament in Bangkok Thailand with losses to Myanmar and Malaysia and a convincing 4-1 win against East Timor with Peter Jaugan, Jose Ombos, Jerome Orcullo and Emilio Caligdong scoring.
"It has really been a long time when we scored big, and it is positive just coming before the SEA games," Caslib wrote in an email to Sunstar Cebu.
A search in the Asean Football Federation data base of results showed that the last time the Philippines scored more than a goal in a match was a 2-3 loss to Laos in the Brunie SEAG in 1999 while no results shows the Philippines scoring more than three goals in a win.
"Although we were badly beaten by Myanmar, it must be noted that in all our matches we scored and I believe this is one of the few RP teams who has scored seven goals in a competition," said Caslib.
Ian Araneta and Caligdong scored once against Malaysia while former Carmen National School member Arnie Pasinabo had one against Malaysia.
Though the Philippine team has worked on their offense, things are still needed to patch their leaky defense which yielded six goals to Myanmar in their opening 2-6 loss. In their previous meeting, the Philippines lost to Myanmar 0-1 after yielding to an injury time goal in the 2004 Tiger Cup.
"There is a possibility at the top four teams will send the same team to the SEAG but Singapore mentioned that some players were not released because of the S League, on the other hand, we still have some players who did not travel with because of disciplinary maters or for other reasons," Caslib wrote.
Among those who missed the Thailand tourney were Michael Casas, another former Carmen player who was cut due to disciplinary matters, Ali Borromeo, Chris Greatwitch, Mark Villon and brothers Philipp and James Younghusband of the Chelsea FC reserves.
"The main thing now is for us to gather all players available and conquer the Sea Games, it is possible with the 12th member of the team really involved in the matches," Caslib said.
Caslib has asked for ample support from Pinoy fans, whom he calls as the 12th member of the RP team.
The Philippine team finished third in Group in the Pre Seag tournament in Bangkok Thailand with losses to Myanmar and Malaysia and a convincing 4-1 win against East Timor with Peter Jaugan, Jose Ombos, Jerome Orcullo and Emilio Caligdong scoring.
"It has really been a long time when we scored big, and it is positive just coming before the SEA games," Caslib wrote in an email to Sunstar Cebu.
A search in the Asean Football Federation data base of results showed that the last time the Philippines scored more than a goal in a match was a 2-3 loss to Laos in the Brunie SEAG in 1999 while no results shows the Philippines scoring more than three goals in a win.
"Although we were badly beaten by Myanmar, it must be noted that in all our matches we scored and I believe this is one of the few RP teams who has scored seven goals in a competition," said Caslib.
Ian Araneta and Caligdong scored once against Malaysia while former Carmen National School member Arnie Pasinabo had one against Malaysia.
Though the Philippine team has worked on their offense, things are still needed to patch their leaky defense which yielded six goals to Myanmar in their opening 2-6 loss. In their previous meeting, the Philippines lost to Myanmar 0-1 after yielding to an injury time goal in the 2004 Tiger Cup.
"There is a possibility at the top four teams will send the same team to the SEAG but Singapore mentioned that some players were not released because of the S League, on the other hand, we still have some players who did not travel with because of disciplinary maters or for other reasons," Caslib wrote.
Among those who missed the Thailand tourney were Michael Casas, another former Carmen player who was cut due to disciplinary matters, Ali Borromeo, Chris Greatwitch, Mark Villon and brothers Philipp and James Younghusband of the Chelsea FC reserves.
"The main thing now is for us to gather all players available and conquer the Sea Games, it is possible with the 12th member of the team really involved in the matches," Caslib said.
Caslib has asked for ample support from Pinoy fans, whom he calls as the 12th member of the RP team.
Goalkeeper Paolo Pascual came up with the big stops yesterday to book Paref-Springdale a semifinal spot after a 4-2 win over UV-Compostela at the SHS-J
field.
After a 2-2 deadlock at the end of regulation, the match went to a shootout where Pascual came up with two big saves, while RJ Sembrano and Timothy James Mateo converted their spot kicks for Paref's win. Springdale got its first two goals from Miko Garcia and Carlos Veloso.
They will next face the dangerous Abellana National School (ANS), which scored a 9-1 rout over Pope John Seminary, while the other semis will pit Don Bosco College against SHS-J.
DBTC earlier dumped Cebu City National Science High (CCNSH), 9-2, while SHS-J showed no mercy to Camp Lapu-Lapu National School, 19-2, following their 23-0 blowout against Talisay.
In the Elementary division, rivals DBTC and Springdale also arranged a finals meeting after scoring identical 6-0 wins yesterday. DBTC blanked out Cebu City Central School while Paref defeated Bright Academy.
"I think DBTC will win against Paref. They are bigger and stronger," said tournament director Francis Ramirez.
field.
After a 2-2 deadlock at the end of regulation, the match went to a shootout where Pascual came up with two big saves, while RJ Sembrano and Timothy James Mateo converted their spot kicks for Paref's win. Springdale got its first two goals from Miko Garcia and Carlos Veloso.
They will next face the dangerous Abellana National School (ANS), which scored a 9-1 rout over Pope John Seminary, while the other semis will pit Don Bosco College against SHS-J.
DBTC earlier dumped Cebu City National Science High (CCNSH), 9-2, while SHS-J showed no mercy to Camp Lapu-Lapu National School, 19-2, following their 23-0 blowout against Talisay.
In the Elementary division, rivals DBTC and Springdale also arranged a finals meeting after scoring identical 6-0 wins yesterday. DBTC blanked out Cebu City Central School while Paref defeated Bright Academy.
"I think DBTC will win against Paref. They are bigger and stronger," said tournament director Francis Ramirez.
(when was the last time you read a headline like this?)
THE RP Men's football team finally bagged a win in the Pre-Southeast Asian Games tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, scoring a 4-1 bashing of Timor Leste in its final match.
The former whipping boys of Southeast Asia finished third in Group A behind Myanmar, which beat the Filipinos, 2-6; and Malaysia, which slipped past RP, 2-1.
Cebuanos Oliver Colina, Arnie Pasinabo and Jhuniel Bapor are with the squad, who are gearing up for the 23rd SEA Games football tournament in Bacolod City on Nov. 27 to Dec. 5.
Meanwhile, Pasinabo's former coach in Carmen National School, Graeme Mackinnon, was elated with his ward's stint in the national team.
"Arnie has always showed great potential but he did not have the passion to want to train in Manila like Michael (Casas) did. I hope that this trip to Thailand will give him the urge to rethink and to play again for the national team because he is only 19 and would have a long career with the team," Mackinnon said in an e-mail.
Casas was Mackinnon's goalkeeper at Carmen National School and started for the RP team in the Tiger Cup, but was cut from the Bangkok trip because of attitude problems.
"Arnie is quick and deceptive on the dribble and during his time with us he developed his left foot to the point where he was able to shoot well with either foot, and that gave him the advantage of being versatile in playing either on the left or right side of the field," Mackinnon said.
THE RP Men's football team finally bagged a win in the Pre-Southeast Asian Games tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, scoring a 4-1 bashing of Timor Leste in its final match.
The former whipping boys of Southeast Asia finished third in Group A behind Myanmar, which beat the Filipinos, 2-6; and Malaysia, which slipped past RP, 2-1.
Cebuanos Oliver Colina, Arnie Pasinabo and Jhuniel Bapor are with the squad, who are gearing up for the 23rd SEA Games football tournament in Bacolod City on Nov. 27 to Dec. 5.
Meanwhile, Pasinabo's former coach in Carmen National School, Graeme Mackinnon, was elated with his ward's stint in the national team.
"Arnie has always showed great potential but he did not have the passion to want to train in Manila like Michael (Casas) did. I hope that this trip to Thailand will give him the urge to rethink and to play again for the national team because he is only 19 and would have a long career with the team," Mackinnon said in an e-mail.
Casas was Mackinnon's goalkeeper at Carmen National School and started for the RP team in the Tiger Cup, but was cut from the Bangkok trip because of attitude problems.
"Arnie is quick and deceptive on the dribble and during his time with us he developed his left foot to the point where he was able to shoot well with either foot, and that gave him the advantage of being versatile in playing either on the left or right side of the field," Mackinnon said.
RJ Sembrano get past University of San Carlos' Joushua Suarez for Springdale's final goal in their 6-3 win in the Milo Little Olympics. Sunstar Photo by Allan Defensor
Paref keeper Paolo Pascual fails to stop a USC goal while TJ Matteo watches. A collission in the second half forced Pascual to sit out for a few minutes in their 6-3 win. Photo by Allan Defensor
PAREF Springdale had to dig deep into their arsenal to beat a surprisingly tough University of San Carlos 6-3 in the 10th Milo Olympics football at the Sacred Heart School Jesuit.
After taking a 3-1 lead, USC managed to level the count early in the second half behind Aries Opiniano and Kyle Tongson.
However, RJ Sembrano cut short USC's jubiliation as two minutes later, Sembrano left footed a strike from the half court line past keeper Joushua Suarez for a 4-3 Paref lead.
Burly defender Timothy James Mateo got into the scoring act and took a shot also from midcourt to increase the lead to 5-3 with five minutes left and Sembrano punctuated their win with another goal in the dying seconds.
Meanwhile, Sacred Heart School-Jesuit toyed with Talisay City High School, 23-0, while University of the Visayas-Compostela thrashed the University of Southern Philippines, 8-0, and Pope John Seminary beat Cebu Institute of Technology 6-1. Camp Lapu-Lapu National High School defeated Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion-Mandaue, 3-1.
In the Elementary level, Bright Academy won over CIC-M, 7-5, City Central School blanked USC, 8-0, Don Bosco Technology Center defeated Cot-cot Elementary School, 3-0, and SHS-J forfeited its match against Springdale.
THE RP Team stumbled yet again and dropped its second straight match, losing to Malaysia, 2-1, in the Pre-Southeast Asian Games football tournament in Bangkok, Thailand.
Still Filipino fans can take comfort in the reduced goal deficit after the team's 2-6 defeat to Myanmar the other day.
The loss also booted the Philippines out of the hunt for a semifinal spot as it has only one game left, against Timor Leste tomorrow. The Filipinos will again hope for a repeat of the 2-1 win over Timor Leste in the Tiger Cup last year, where they also lost, 0-1, to Myanmar and to Malaysia, 1-3.
Meanwhile, national coach Aries Calsib told Sun.Star Cebu that former Carmen National School goalkeeper and Tiger Cup goalkeeper Michael Casas of Cebu was cut from the Thailand tournament as a disciplinary measure.
Casas, a former ward of Australian football guru Graeme Mackinnon, was the youngest starter for the national team in the biennial meet last year at 18.
"Michael Casas was cut because of disciplinary matters, specifically staying out of camp and (his) attitude. Hopefully he can still recover and go back to (his) humble beginnings which I think he can make it," Caslib said in an e-mail.
Casas misfortune is another Cebuano's gain as he was replaced by Jhuniel Bapor. Casas' teammate in Carmen, Arni Pasinabo, is also in Thailand with former University of San Jose-Recoletos player Oliver "Bingbing" Colina.
"The gap which Arnie missed is very wide but hopefully continuous training will make him improve fast," Caslib said of Pasinabo, who last saw action for the RP team in 2002.
As for the 23-year-old Colina, who joined the national pool last May, Caslibn said, "Bingbing needs to improve his aggressiveness and positioning but we hope to see him improve."
After the Thailand tourney, the team will proceed to China for a one month training.
Still Filipino fans can take comfort in the reduced goal deficit after the team's 2-6 defeat to Myanmar the other day.
The loss also booted the Philippines out of the hunt for a semifinal spot as it has only one game left, against Timor Leste tomorrow. The Filipinos will again hope for a repeat of the 2-1 win over Timor Leste in the Tiger Cup last year, where they also lost, 0-1, to Myanmar and to Malaysia, 1-3.
Meanwhile, national coach Aries Calsib told Sun.Star Cebu that former Carmen National School goalkeeper and Tiger Cup goalkeeper Michael Casas of Cebu was cut from the Thailand tournament as a disciplinary measure.
Casas, a former ward of Australian football guru Graeme Mackinnon, was the youngest starter for the national team in the biennial meet last year at 18.
"Michael Casas was cut because of disciplinary matters, specifically staying out of camp and (his) attitude. Hopefully he can still recover and go back to (his) humble beginnings which I think he can make it," Caslib said in an e-mail.
Casas misfortune is another Cebuano's gain as he was replaced by Jhuniel Bapor. Casas' teammate in Carmen, Arni Pasinabo, is also in Thailand with former University of San Jose-Recoletos player Oliver "Bingbing" Colina.
"The gap which Arnie missed is very wide but hopefully continuous training will make him improve fast," Caslib said of Pasinabo, who last saw action for the RP team in 2002.
As for the 23-year-old Colina, who joined the national pool last May, Caslibn said, "Bingbing needs to improve his aggressiveness and positioning but we hope to see him improve."
After the Thailand tourney, the team will proceed to China for a one month training.
THE Philippine Men's football team suffered a 2-6 loss Tuesday night to Myanmar in the Pre-Southeast Asian Games tournament's opening match in Bangkok, Thailand.
Still, national coach Aries Caslib says the final outcome doesn't show the changes the team has made.
The team trailed, 0-3, going into the second half before substitutes Ian Araneta and Emilio Caligdong scored in the 57th and 77th minutes. Then Myanmar, which owns the Seag record of five straight football titles, scored two more goals.
The Philippines was playing Malaysia at press time and will close its campaign against newcomer Timor Leste tomorrow.
In the Tiger Cup last year, Myanmar scored in injury time for a 1-0 win, while Malaysia defeated the Philippines, 3-1, before the Filipinos won their first match against Timor Leste, 2-1.
In a post on philfootball.info, a forum for Pinoy football fans, Caslib reported the positive signs during the match.
"The players wanted to win and they have shown superb character by scoring two goals in the second half, producing momentum and control. But the handling of such situations must be improved further. The players are not afraid to take risks all the time," Caslib said.
"We had a very strong chance to recover in the second half as we got goals in the 57th and 77th minutes of the match. Our third goal was to come but we lost a very good chance from a two-on-one situation."
Cebuano Oliver Colina and former Carmen boy Arnie Pasinabo are with the team, which will depart for a one-month training in China after the Thailand tournament.
Fil-foreigners James and Philip Younghusband of the Chelsea FC reserve team are not with the squad, as well as Ali Borromeo and Pasinabo's teammate in Carmen, Michael Casas.
Still, national coach Aries Caslib says the final outcome doesn't show the changes the team has made.
The team trailed, 0-3, going into the second half before substitutes Ian Araneta and Emilio Caligdong scored in the 57th and 77th minutes. Then Myanmar, which owns the Seag record of five straight football titles, scored two more goals.
The Philippines was playing Malaysia at press time and will close its campaign against newcomer Timor Leste tomorrow.
In the Tiger Cup last year, Myanmar scored in injury time for a 1-0 win, while Malaysia defeated the Philippines, 3-1, before the Filipinos won their first match against Timor Leste, 2-1.
In a post on philfootball.info, a forum for Pinoy football fans, Caslib reported the positive signs during the match.
"The players wanted to win and they have shown superb character by scoring two goals in the second half, producing momentum and control. But the handling of such situations must be improved further. The players are not afraid to take risks all the time," Caslib said.
"We had a very strong chance to recover in the second half as we got goals in the 57th and 77th minutes of the match. Our third goal was to come but we lost a very good chance from a two-on-one situation."
Cebuano Oliver Colina and former Carmen boy Arnie Pasinabo are with the team, which will depart for a one-month training in China after the Thailand tournament.
Fil-foreigners James and Philip Younghusband of the Chelsea FC reserve team are not with the squad, as well as Ali Borromeo and Pasinabo's teammate in Carmen, Michael Casas.
Because of the atmosphere of basketball in the country, chances are there will be no basketball in the SEAG - ironic for a basketball mad country.
Two years ago, the big wigs of Philippines sports decided not to send a football team to the SEAG and early last year, there were plans to scrap the sport in the SEAG.
Do I here anybody say karma?
Two years ago, the
Do I here anybody say karma?
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