Cebu sweeps football crowns

CEBU City swept the elementary and high school football crowns in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association in Bohol yesterday.

Francis Ramirez and the Abellana National High School bagged the secondary crown after some heroics from Michael Sharpe and Paolo Pascual in their 3-0 shootout win over Negros Oriental, while the Don Bosco College led elementary team, coached by Joselito Bono, eked out a hard-earned 1-0 win over Tagbilaran.

"Naswertehan jud, na-break na ang jinx sa shootout sa Cviraa," said Ramirez.

Cebu City, who enjoyed a twice-to-beat incentive yesterday, found themselves a goal down after the 24th minute of the first half, before Sharpe banged in the equalizer just seconds from full time, blasting just inside the penalty box to send the game to a shootout.

In the shootout, Kyle Soriano converted his shot, while Negros kicker the bar. Sharpe scored his second goal in the shootout before Pascual pulled back-to-back saves and Jerome Batad banged in the final goal for their ecstatic win.

"Paolo (Pascual) really played very well, he had many saves," said Ramirez, "This erases the bitter memory of the 1992 shootout loss, and in 1997, when we had eight players who eventually made it to the national team, but also lost by shootout."

In their match against Negros last Friday, Pascual also had two saves in their 3-1 shootout win.

Ramirez and his team arrives from Bohol today and will take a two-day rest before they resume training on Wednesday for the Palarong Pambansa.

"We will pick up the left winger and another midfielder from Negros for the Palaro," Ramirez said.

Comments

Anonymous said…
both championship games were well fought matches. the secondary squad had it's reinforcements playing the heroes role whaile the elemtary squad had bohol playing defensively the entire game.

two incidents however almost marred the otherwise well played game. with 5 minutes remaining in the second half and with NegOr leading by a goal, game officials wanted to abruptly end the match and award it to NegOr because he thought the game was getting rough. he was however overruled thus the game continued, ending with Sharpe's last second heroics.

the elemtary championship will be long-remembered for the most hilarious moment I have ever seen in any football match. at the 14th minute of the first half, the referee halted the match and asked to be replaced. why - he had to go to the toilet to dispose of his "problem !!!" a different referee had to finish the match officiating !!!

congratulations to both teams.
Anonymous said…
bay ronaldo, I have to have the number of joselito bono......been trying to call him the past days, only got to talk to him through francis' phone.

can you email me his number?
Anonymous said…
Congrats, to both Cebu City teams especially the elementary team for a job well done. You have defied the odds of playing against the host team. Best of luck in Palaro.
Anonymous said…
mike, sorry for this delayed reply. nagbaha ang beer paghuman sa competition.

will PM you his number sa philfootball site.

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