Bright takes two titles in San Roque Festival
The football gods looked over perennial champions Paref-Springdale yesterday and picked out a new favorite, Bright Academy.
The young upstart, which entered the local football scene last year, plucked out two titles in the 2nd San Roque Football Fiesta yesterday, both against Paref Springdale.
“This is really not our day,” said one Paref Springdale mother, after watching Springdale’s third loss in a finals match yesterday.
Bright’s Under-17 team, coached by Restiuto “Totot” Colina and Dennis Peñalosa, bagged the day’s first title impressively, beating the heavily favored Springdale team led by veteran keeper Paolo Pascual.
Justin Lee sent a perfect free kick past Pascual, who played for Cebu in the Philippine Football Federation’s Men’s Under-17 Regional tournament for the stirring upset.
“In fairness to Springdale, they were on the offensive most of the time,” said Bright assistant principal Neil Montesclaros.
Lee’s shot earned him MVP honors and the first title for the team in the tough division, softened by the absence of other powers Cebu International School and Don Bosco Technological Center.
Other members of the team are Gino Galicia, Lorenz Recera, Don Tirol, Dondi Gonzales, Mikel Torralba, Kevin Velasco, Arion Marin, Michael Pages, Chad Ting, Pervin and Royce Tan.
On the other hand, their young Under-12 squad also fashioned a similar upset win as they took Springdale by surprise in a 1-0 win.
The narrow scoreline belied the dominance of Springdale, which showed excellent ball movement and individual skills against Bright.
Martin Mendoza’s free kick got staved off by Bright’s Raj Aran, who also pulled out a save in their 2-0 win in the semifinal round, while Shawn Hausen’s shot hit the post.
Springdale kept on pushing but their two other clear attempts again kissed the bar, adding to the frustration of the players.
With their players upfront, Springdale kept their defense vulnerable and Bright’s lone offensive attack brought back dividends.
Junichi Kuribayashi found a streaking Robert Lee, who in turn sent the ball to the top corner, for the lone goal of the match.
Springdale tried to bounce back but the referee blew his whistle, capping the mad celebration for Bright.
Just like his brother Justin, Robert also bagged the MVP award, while the team also won the Honda Sportsmanship award.
Other members of the Bright team are Junichi Kuribayashi, Raj Arana, Kenji Mizuguchi, Patrick Snare, Rafaet Pochet, Rainier Tan and Gian Astilla.
Meanwhile, the Hiroshi Football Club also defeated Springdale in the Boys 14 finals via a shoot-out, with keeper Julius Haganas earning MVP honors.
Host San Roque FC also bagged the the Girls 12 Under crown, after sweeping its three matches against Bright Academy.
San Roque hacked out a close, 1-0, win in the first match but wiped out Bright, 3-0, in their last two matches to win the crown.
The annual football fiesta will cap off today with competitions in the Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Men’s 36-above and the Players’ 8 divisions.
The young upstart, which entered the local football scene last year, plucked out two titles in the 2nd San Roque Football Fiesta yesterday, both against Paref Springdale.
“This is really not our day,” said one Paref Springdale mother, after watching Springdale’s third loss in a finals match yesterday.
Bright’s Under-17 team, coached by Restiuto “Totot” Colina and Dennis Peñalosa, bagged the day’s first title impressively, beating the heavily favored Springdale team led by veteran keeper Paolo Pascual.
Justin Lee sent a perfect free kick past Pascual, who played for Cebu in the Philippine Football Federation’s Men’s Under-17 Regional tournament for the stirring upset.
“In fairness to Springdale, they were on the offensive most of the time,” said Bright assistant principal Neil Montesclaros.
Lee’s shot earned him MVP honors and the first title for the team in the tough division, softened by the absence of other powers Cebu International School and Don Bosco Technological Center.
Other members of the team are Gino Galicia, Lorenz Recera, Don Tirol, Dondi Gonzales, Mikel Torralba, Kevin Velasco, Arion Marin, Michael Pages, Chad Ting, Pervin and Royce Tan.
On the other hand, their young Under-12 squad also fashioned a similar upset win as they took Springdale by surprise in a 1-0 win.
The narrow scoreline belied the dominance of Springdale, which showed excellent ball movement and individual skills against Bright.
Martin Mendoza’s free kick got staved off by Bright’s Raj Aran, who also pulled out a save in their 2-0 win in the semifinal round, while Shawn Hausen’s shot hit the post.
Springdale kept on pushing but their two other clear attempts again kissed the bar, adding to the frustration of the players.
With their players upfront, Springdale kept their defense vulnerable and Bright’s lone offensive attack brought back dividends.
Junichi Kuribayashi found a streaking Robert Lee, who in turn sent the ball to the top corner, for the lone goal of the match.
Springdale tried to bounce back but the referee blew his whistle, capping the mad celebration for Bright.
Just like his brother Justin, Robert also bagged the MVP award, while the team also won the Honda Sportsmanship award.
Other members of the Bright team are Junichi Kuribayashi, Raj Arana, Kenji Mizuguchi, Patrick Snare, Rafaet Pochet, Rainier Tan and Gian Astilla.
Meanwhile, the Hiroshi Football Club also defeated Springdale in the Boys 14 finals via a shoot-out, with keeper Julius Haganas earning MVP honors.
Host San Roque FC also bagged the the Girls 12 Under crown, after sweeping its three matches against Bright Academy.
San Roque hacked out a close, 1-0, win in the first match but wiped out Bright, 3-0, in their last two matches to win the crown.
The annual football fiesta will cap off today with competitions in the Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Men’s 36-above and the Players’ 8 divisions.
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