Bacolod wins it all (sakto ko ya)

FORMER Carmen National School booter Arnie Pasinabo is in football heaven after bagging the Most Valuable Player award in helping Bacolod City win the Philippine Football Federation National Men's Open Championship in Iloilo City yesterday.
Pasinabo, who also saw action in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games last year, banged in the final goal in Bacolod City's 2-1 win over a sluggish National Capitol Region -- getting back at NCR after losing last year's title in a shoot out.

Cebu Football Association president Jonathan Maximo, who watched the game, said NCR seemed tired.

"I also heard that yesterday's (Saturday) game took a toll on them. They had to play 10 minutes extension and had to go through a shoot-out," Maximo said. "Bacolod played in the first game (Saturday) so they had more time to rest."

Pasinabo's teammate, Jayson Panhay, who scored the two goals in their 2-1 win over host Iloilo City in the semifinals, was named the Best Midfielder award while Joel Ballo-allo got the Best Defender award and Archie Bayquin got the Best Goalkeeper citation.

Ian Araneta, who is from Iloilo City but played, along with 11 Ilonggos, for NCR, prevented a sweep by bagging the Best Striker award.

Meanwhile, Asian Football Confederation Women's Committee deputy chair, Cristy Ramos, finally got her chance to meet the PFF board of governors during the BOG meeting.

According to Maximo, who is a member of the BOG, said Ramos got an invite to talk about the AFC U19 fiasco.

"It's the proper forum, at least the members have heard her, and not learn about it through media," he said.