Cebu Football

*Just a little note, I asked Maxi, who these three members are and whether they are allied with Romualdez. He said, "Next question please." The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has set up an internal audit team to address the issues raised by the National Capitol Region regarding its business transactions. In a memo sent to the 28 football associations in the country, PFF president Johnny Romualdez appointed Neil Frazer, president of the Misamis-Ozamiz Football Association; Pastor Merced, president of the Negros Oriental Football Association; and Apolonio Clemente Jr., president of the Butuan-Agusan Football Association to the audit team. Cebu Football Association president Jonathan Maximo said those with questions regarding the PFF finances may address their concerns to the three members. “Among the concerns they are to address are how the FIFA funds are spent, the administrative expenses, who receives what salary and allowances. This is also to help dispel any doubts o...

Friday night, 11 p.m. Germany vs Argentina. World Cup Quarterfinals. Folks, this is a re-match (sort of) of the 1990 finals, which then West Germany won, 1-0. Who will win this time? See you at Badgers.

AFTER failing to make it to the semifinal round of this year's National Women's Under-17, the Cebu Football Association is preparing early for next year's U17 championships as it plans to field an Under-17 training pool in the Aboitiz Women's Open set to start on July 9. "This for anyone who is interested to join the Under-17, the players doesn't necessarily have to be those who played in the nationals," said Cebu Football Association president Jonathan Maximo. To qualify for the training pool, players must be born on 1991 or earlier. The moves mirrors that of the Davao Football Association, which has topped the Ladies Open and Under-19 for the past two years. They regularly field their Under-19 squad in their Ladies' Open, and their Ladies' Open team also plays in their Men's Division B. Maximo recently met with representatives of the Ladies team and has set the deadline for the submission of entries on July 1. "We expect six to eight te...

AFTER failing to make it to the semifinal round of this year's National Women's Under-17, the Cebu Football Association is preparing early for next year's U17 championships as it plans to field an Under-17 training pool in the Aboitiz Women's Open set to start on July 9. "This for anyone who is interested to join the Under-17, the players doesn't necessarily have to be those who played in the nationals," said Cebu Football Association president Jonathan Maximo. To qualify for the training pool, players must be born on 1991 or earlier. The moves mirrors that of the Davao Football Association, which has topped the Ladies Open and Under-19 for the past two years. They regularly field their Under-19 squad in their Ladies' Open, and their Ladies' Open team also plays in their Men's Division B. Maximo recently met with representatives of the Ladies team and has set the deadline for the submission of entries on July 1. "We expect six to eight te...

There are 28 FA presidents, members and associate members of the PFF. Where are they now? A few words from them, whether they support the latest challenge to the PFF leadership, or not, would have been fine. But, as football leaders are often in these country, they are strangely silent. In the meantime, the fans, yes the people who they are supposed to serve, are wondering where they can catch the next World Cup game, since the 28 presidents never had it in them to try and convince Solar to carry the games live for free. Adios country ranked number 192. Badminton anyone?

Guys, I've been checking the philfootball.info forum, which just got back on line, it says bandwidth exceeded. (An explaination would be nice for this internet dork) I've also just tried to get into the pinoysoccer.com site, but it says, this account has been suspended. What gives?

FOR the seven players who were meted out one to two years suspensions by the Cebu Football Association, their sentence won't be affected by the latest fiasco the Philippine Football Federation is in. The PFF certificate of registration by the Securities and Exchange Commission was revoked last Nov 3, 2003, and this was discovered last May only. As a result, the PFF's legitimacy and the legality of its actions since the Nov 30, 2003, were questioned. However, this doesnt hold true for the Cebu Football Assocation. "We are a separate entity, we are only affiliated with the PFF and besides we are also SEC registered," Maximo said.

THE National Capitol Region Football Association has asked Philippine Football Federation president Juan Miguel Romualdez to "cease and desist from discharging his functions" after the PFF's certificate of registration was revoked by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The PFF's registration was revoked last Nov. 3, 2003 yet but this was found out only last May. The PFF Board of Governor met last week to address the issue, while the Philippine Olympic Committee has asked former PFF president Rene Adad to help in having the registration reinstated. The NCRFA argued in its letter to Romualdez, a copy of which was faxed to Sun.Star Cebu, "You and your cohorts are discharging functions and duties pertaining to validly and duly elected officers of a corporation, making it appear that you are possessed of such powers, when in truth and in fact, you have none." The letter asks Romualdez to "cease and desist from performing and discharging acts in vi...

10 p.m. Ecuador vs Germany 10 p.m. Costa Rica vs Poland June 21 3 a.m. Sweden vs. England 3 a.m. Trinidad vs. Paraguay

I'm tired of the shit that is Philippine football.

CEBUANO coaches will finally have their chance to acquire their license as the Cebu Football Association is set to conduct an Asian Football Confederation License C seminar next month. National team coaches Aries Caslib and Marlon Maro will conduct the two-week seminar at a still to be determined venue. Caslib is the head coach of the men's senior team and Under-23, steering both teams to winning their first international match in years in the Tiger Cup and in the Southeast Asian Games respectively. "They (Caslib and Maro) will be available on the second week of July, and we are trying to finalize the exact date for the seminar. Cebu Football Association Jonathan Maximo said the seminar will have only 25 slots available, and majority of these will be given to Cebu-based coaches. "We will let the CebuFa registered schools and clubs nominate their coaches for the seminar," Maximo said. Maximo said he is looking at the University of San Carlos - Technological Center, Ce...

These are all Philippine time. June 15 midnight Tunisia vs Saudi Arabia 3 a.m. Germany vs. Poland 9 pm. Ecuador vs Costa Rica June 16 midnight England vs Trinidad and Tobago 3 am Sweden vs Paraguay 9 pm Argentina vs Serbia and Montenegro

Folks, the fax machine at the office churned out some interesting facts regarding Philippine football today. This one is about Edward Magalona and how the PFF implements its policies. Mr Magalona and I have quite a history. During the Laguna Cup, a few years back (I was going to write the year, but I kind of forgotten it), a bunch of Cebu referees did not receive any of the P30,000 plus, (I was going to put the exact amount...you get the drift) that was due them for officiating in the cup. So they asked for my help. Hence, from December till six months after, I called Magalona for follow ups, updates and such. Up to this day, the Cebu referees never received any moment. I've always had a soft heart for referees (Let's just say I liked to "talk" to referees a lot when I was playing), that's why I tried my best to help them. Now here's an ugly precedent, what if, the suspended players in Cebu, decide, for the heck of it, to play in a tournament, while they a...

Solar Sports announcement that it will air the World Cup games on Philippine TV, was viewed as a "Godsend" to the sport in a country dominated by NBA. However, that "Godsend" has turned into something else when the broadcast giant decided to ask PPV fees for those who want to view the games live -- sending a knockout blow to the sport. In a country where basketball dominated, the world cup could have generated enough interest to spur grassroots development. However, because of the decision of Solar, the same company, who calls their boxing coverages "live" while bombarding viewers with 10-minute commercials during the two-minute break between rounds, people now really think that football is for the rich folks. Thank you very much Solar sports. You will be one of the pall bearer for Philippine football.

Here's a photo of the champion team, sorry I don't have any names.

If you got a fast internet connection, there's a way to watch the games live, at home, through peer to peer internet TV. This was posted by my brother at his site, max.limpag.com, and I tried it. Well, I have broadband connection, but darn, it's still too slow for it. Maybe you have better luck. Here's how. http://www.ghacks.net/2006/06/09/worldcup-preparations/ There's a link where you can download the installer. Good luck.

Go to your favorite watering holes to catch the games on June 13 12 midnight USA vs Czech Republic 3 a.m. Italy vs Ghana

WHAT a game, three goals in the first 25 minutes, six goals in the first game. We are in for a great World Cup. I watched the game at Marriot and boy, what a lovely set-up they have. You can escape to the pool to catch the games, and you could also join the other fans at the lobby, where they set up one 10X10 wide screen and a couple of others smaller flat TVs, so you wouldnt have to strain your neck to see the action. Check this blog later to see the complete schedule and Marriot's package. Onward to Germany 2006!

Its less than six hours till kick off! Let the 2006 World Cup begins, Im going to Marriot!

ITS just hours before the greatest sporting spectacle of the world opens – and no it’s not the NBA finals – but the 2006 Germany World Cup and the Pinoy football fans are again expected to troop to their favorite watering holes to catch up the live games. Among the establishments who will air the games starting at midnight tonight are Marriot Hotel, Marco Polo and Table 7. On the other hand, the Waterfront Hotel will release an advisory later this week regarding their World Cup activities. According to Dolly Belo of Marriot, they will be showing the games at their Pool bar and the Palm Lounge starting tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Cebu Football Association, led by Jonathan Maximo is currently planning a tie-up with Marriot for tomorrow’s opening. “There’s one being organized by the Philippine Football Federation but it is in Manila, so we are also planning one here,” Maximo said. For a minimum of 10 persons, a group can also ask for a function room inclusive of food, chips and nuts for ever...

WITH millions of basketball crazy Pinoys hooked on the NBA finals, there will still be scores of others who will be caring more about wins, draws and losses in the World Cup, rather than Shaq’s free throw woes. Among thse are Cebu Football Association board members Neil Montesclaros and Jackie Lotzoff, and national men’s senior coach Aries Caslib. Montesclaros, who has never missed a World Cup finals since Argentina won in 1986, will be rooting for Brazil’s samba. “I’ve always believed in their talents, specially Pele. I always loved football since elementary years till now as a professional. Most of the people close to me support my passion for the support,” said Montesclaros, who is also the assistant principal at Bright Academy. On the other hand, Lotzoff will be rooting for four teams, the US, Brazil, Argentina and the Netherlands. She choses the US because she want the Americans to embrace the sport that the rest of the country has, and the Netherlands because it has produced som...

A FEW months after dodging a vote of no confidence, Philippine Football Federation president Johnny Romualdez is facing another threat to his leadership. "The PFF is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Sec). Certification of Registration was revoked by SEC on Nov. 3, 2003 due to noncompliance with reportorial requirements," Asian Football Confederation's Women's Committee deputy chair Cristy Ramos told Sun.Star Cebu. "Thus, all acts done after revocation have no legal effect, including Nov. 30, 2003 PFF election. Johnny Romualdez cannot be the legal president." Asked to comment on the issue, Romualdez, who is out of town, said, "I refuse to be led to a press war. She should take it up through proper channels." For her part, Ramos, who also exposed the PFF blunder that led to the country missing the AFC Women's Under-19 tournament last January, said she is just bringing out the issue to the public and is not starting a pr...

Here are a few photos of the champion team, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation/Ramos FC. Team members: 1. Kent Zozobrado 2. Janjo Murillo 3. Melchor "Hotten" Wenceslao 4. Niño Buot 5. Atty. Teddy Piasidad 6. Noel Villaflor 7. Uriel Wenceslao 8. Titing Pleños 9. Heintje Ruiz 10. Mark Anthony Lee Mendoza 11. Frances Christopher Ponce Team Coach - Kevin Calomarde Team Manager - Soraiya Umabong

Match #4: 09:10AM PHILIPPINES vs AUSTRALIA Game format: 11-a-side, 30mins/game (no half-break) Result: 1-1 draw Scorers: 21st min – Ken Kazuo Hager (Left Midfield, Fil-Swiss, Davao/Phils), 12 meter strike from left flank, deflected by an Australian defender, caught the Australian GK off-guard. 28th min – two (2) mins before game time, Christian de Juan (central defender, Filipino, Iloilo/Phils) commited a foul (sliding tackle) inside the penalty box. Australia converted the penalty kick. *Phil Team starting line-up: Strikers – Warren Rosillo (left), Darwin Salavia (right) Midfielders – Rob Famador (left), Kevin Tecson (center left), Ken Hager (center right), Irvin Garcia (right) Defenders – Evanjames Mendoza (left), Christian de Juan (center left), Jemir Telebanco (center right), Ronald Batisla-ong (right) *Phil Team somewhat recovered from its first-day jitters (jet lag, mental aspect, playing in a foreign soil, etc). Players were physically & mentally prepared to play *Australi...

Playing in its first international match, Team Philippines lost all its first three matches without scoring a goal in the Asian Football Confederation Under-14 Festival at the Universiti Kebangsaan in Bangi, Malaysia. “The team arrived (in) KL airport past 8 p.m. and at UKM Billeting House at 9 p.m. the night before the tournament. Players had to undergo stringent registration procedures, physical examination and they were able to sleep only around midnight. “Players were tired of the trip. First-time jitters, especially playing on foreign soil, somewhat affected the performance of the team. Hopefully, players can adjust and will be mentally ready on the second day,” wrote Jonathan Maximo, head of delegation and Cebu Football Association president, in his e-mail. The Philippines, which has Cebuanos Evanjames Mendoza, Kevin Tecson and Joshua Cruz in its line-up, bowed to Indonesia, 0-3, and dropped its next match to Singapore, 0-2, before losing to Cambodia, 0-4. “Technically and tactic...