Cebu Football
The Beautiful Game in the beautiful island.
A STRAY dog’s untimely answer to nature’s call propelled the Azkals to a scintillating 1-0 win over Chinese Taipei yesterday in their first game of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup at the Penabenuang Stadium in Bangladesh.
Facing a far more superior team, the Azkals, who are coming off back-to-back losses to Thailand’s senior and Under-23 teams prior to the Challenge Cup, were on the defensive for most of the match, with captain Ali Borromeo providing spectacular defensive plays to stop the opposing strikers.
The Pinoys rarely had a chance at goal in the second half before that fateful 79th minute, when the dog came to play.
Early in the match, the Azkals, which has problems in the opposing side defense, left a man open but his shot hit the bar, unto Borromeo’s head before keeper Ref Cuaresma, a former Southwestern University scooped it safely.
Cuaresma was taxed to the limits of his abilities in the next 30 minutes as he pulled save after save as the wily Chinese offense keep on finding holes in the RP defense.
They used the flanks to attack but instead of crossing into the penalty area – they attacked the Azkals weak spot – the midfield – leading to an incredulous 15 shots at goal just before the half.
Fortunately, Cuaresma was up to the task, pulling hand saves, divers, and in one instant, getting hit in the groin after a shot by Wan Jung Lo ricocheted off Borromeo.
Though it took more than five minutes for Cuaresma to get up, he shrugged it off.
“I used to be a boxer in my high school days and in college I roomed with Malcom Tuñacao, Randy Suico and Rodel Mayol. We had some fights, this is nothing,” he told Cebufootball.blogspot.com in a phone patch interview after the match.
It was the same story in the second half as Chinese Taipei kept on pushing to no avail, forcing coach Aries Caslib to replace strikers Ian Araneta and Luis Brillantes with more defenders to help Borromeo.
“Heck they had nothing to do, I might just as well give them sun block and sun glasses since they just look like they were out to get a tan,” coach Aries Caslib said.
Then the dog came.
It is not sure how get to the venue nor who owned him but in the 79th minute, Chinese Taipei keeper Ako Bud Lat got too bored with the lack of action on his side, that he was seen signaling the dog to come to him.
“There’s a saying in football, goalkeepers are either gay or crazy,” said Chinese Taipei coach Tosikai Tae, who took over the team just two months ago.
“I guess it’s safe to let Bud lat sleep with the rest of the team now,” Tae continued.
In the 79th minute, the dog strutted towards the goal, raised his hind-legs and pissed on the lower right corner of the post, distracting Bud Lat, who in turn approached him.
At the other end of the field, Jung Lo unleashed a shot from 30 yards that hit his teammate, Bay Eng Itlogan, and it bounced toward a bored Leigh Gunn.
Gunn, who seemed to have known the history of the friendly sweeper of Chinese Taipei down to his great-great-great-great grandfather’s classmate’s cousin to the 2nd degree, got the ball and for the first time in the match, took a shot at goal – a hail mary—that sailed past everybody into the empty net, while Bud Lat was stroking the dog.
“I no touch dog, I tell him, I shout him, I push him out! Out! He no listen, that’s why I come near to talk,” an indignant Bud Lat said after the match.
The unexpected goal of Gunn lifted the RP team and the Azkals were able to plug the holes in their defense, it also woke up the lone RP fan in the stadium, Jaime Batan-ongbana.
“Look the word “lucky” in the dictionary and you will find a picture of that dog,” an ecstatic Caslib told mediamen after the match, “In our next game, we will try hard to be good, not to be lucky.”
Happy April first.
FOR the second straight year, the Cebu International School stumbled in the International Schools Athletic Conference Girls' football finals to finish second in the eight team event over the weekend at Brent Baguio.
CIS, which lost to Brent Subic via shoot-out in last year's finals, lost 0-2 to Brent Manila last Sunday to finish second in the event. The runner-up finish also boosted CIS to third place in the over-all rankings of Isac. Brent Manila got the over-all trophy award for the second straight year after sharing the top prize with CIS last year.
Newcomer Mindanao Christian Academy, which took the boys basketball crown over Southville IS, 46-45, finished second over-all.
"Girls basketball is what pulled us down in the rankings because we finished last. We weren't able to practice much for girls basketball because the kids were busy with a school play," said CIS athletic director Brian Bedford.
The CIS girls, coached by Dexter Arrojado and Jessica Aspillaga, found themselves down a goal early after the wily Kaori Kondo eluded the defense in the first half to get past keeper Danica Ronquillo.
Hobbled by injuries and playing with only two substitutes, CIS played catch-up for the rest of the match however Brent keeper Regina Fong kept the goal clear.
CIS had their best chance with a free kick from Monica Moraza but her shot sailed high.
Five minutes into the second half, things got worse for CIS as it lost trusty defender Gabi Aboitiz, who got one of the two best defender awards in the meet, to an injury.
Seeing their chance, Kondo found an open Mariah Bloom five minutes later and the Brent striker banged the ball past Ronquillo to put the game beyond doubt.
Captain Gabi Mercado tried to rally the team back but Brent Manila's sweeper Georgia Guidecelle, was a steady presence in the defensive end as she checked strikers Merilee Watson and Presley Cunningham to preserve the shut-out.
Despite the runner-up finish, Bedford is satisfied with both the runner-up finish and their over-all rankings.
"We only started with 13 girls and we had two new ones," he said.
Bedford said that despite having only 180 high school students compared to Brent Manila's 1000, they were able to perform well in the Isac meet, with most of their players playing two or more sports.
"The core group is phenomenal. Their stamina and dedication to the practice. This is the third year we have with the seasons, if we stick to it, in 10 years we could be the team to beat in all sports," he said.
Isac opens with the volleyball games in October, the boys' football and girls' basketball in February and the boys' basketball and girls' football late March.
BAGUIO City – The Cebu International School barged into the final round of the International Schools Activities Conference (Isac) Girls' Soccer after a grueling four-game second day at Brent Baguio.
Meanwhile, their Boys' basketball team bowed out of contention despite putting up a valiant effort against Mindanao Christian Academy (Mica) before losing, 28-38 to finish with three wins and three losses.
The CIS girls, won two, drew one and lost to Brent Manila in the second day of the Isac meet to finish second in girls' soccer behind Brent Manila. CIS has 14 points on four wins and a draw while Brent Manila is first with 18 points from six wins.
Ironically, British School Manila, the only undefeated team with three wins and four draws is not in contention for the finals as they finish third with 13 points.
The CIS girls will have a chance for revenge against Manila, when they face each other in the final match at 9 p.m. today.
"We can beat (Brent) Manila, they just got lucky today," said CIS coach Dexter Arrojado.
In their final game yesterday, an unchecked striker banged in a goal off a bad clearance from a corner kick for the lone goal for Brent Manila's 1-0 win.
"Danica (Ronquillo) got covered that's why she wasn't able to stop the shot," said Arrojado, who is assisted by Jessica Aspillaga.
The second day started strongly for CIS as they routed European International School (EIS) 3-0, before drawing their game against BSM.
Amanda Darza had two goals while Monica Moraza banged in a penalty for their easy win.
In their next game, CIS strikers Merilee Watson and Presley Cunningham couldn't get past the strong BSM defense for the scoreless draw.
Their third game against winless Mica also started badly with CIS on the defensive end for a 0-0 score at the turn.
In the second half, CIS passing finally found its mark and Watson found a rushing Miko Sarmiento for a 1-0 score two minutes in. Watson finally got her scoring chance five minutes later after stripping a defender and smashing the ball home for their 2-0 win to send CIS back in the finals.
However, CIS, which is trying to better their runner-up finish last year, will have to overcome injuries to Gabi Aboitiz and Monica Moraza in the finals today.
"I rested Monica in the final game so she could play tomorrow (today)," said Arrojado.
Meanwhile, the CIS boys, coached by Rey Marañon, lost their first game yesterday, 41-24 to EIS before outclassing Brent Subic, 59-23.
The stifling CIS defense had them up 28-4 at the half, and it wasn't until the 6:38 mark of the third period that Subic got to double-digit score.
In their final game against Mica, CIS had the lead early, 7-4, on a trey by Michael Sharpe but the taller Mica squad fought their way back to take the lead, 18-16, at the end of the half.
Mica stretched the lead to 26-20 after three periods before Jerry Lee and Dominic Ugarte sparked a short rally for CIS to bring them within two, 28-26 with five minutes left in the final period.
However, after Lee fouled out, Mica scored 10 unanswered points to seal their win. Mica will face EIS in today's final.
Meanwhile, their Boys' basketball team bowed out of contention despite putting up a valiant effort against Mindanao Christian Academy (Mica) before losing, 28-38 to finish with three wins and three losses.
The CIS girls, won two, drew one and lost to Brent Manila in the second day of the Isac meet to finish second in girls' soccer behind Brent Manila. CIS has 14 points on four wins and a draw while Brent Manila is first with 18 points from six wins.
Ironically, British School Manila, the only undefeated team with three wins and four draws is not in contention for the finals as they finish third with 13 points.
The CIS girls will have a chance for revenge against Manila, when they face each other in the final match at 9 p.m. today.
"We can beat (Brent) Manila, they just got lucky today," said CIS coach Dexter Arrojado.
In their final game yesterday, an unchecked striker banged in a goal off a bad clearance from a corner kick for the lone goal for Brent Manila's 1-0 win.
"Danica (Ronquillo) got covered that's why she wasn't able to stop the shot," said Arrojado, who is assisted by Jessica Aspillaga.
The second day started strongly for CIS as they routed European International School (EIS) 3-0, before drawing their game against BSM.
Amanda Darza had two goals while Monica Moraza banged in a penalty for their easy win.
In their next game, CIS strikers Merilee Watson and Presley Cunningham couldn't get past the strong BSM defense for the scoreless draw.
Their third game against winless Mica also started badly with CIS on the defensive end for a 0-0 score at the turn.
In the second half, CIS passing finally found its mark and Watson found a rushing Miko Sarmiento for a 1-0 score two minutes in. Watson finally got her scoring chance five minutes later after stripping a defender and smashing the ball home for their 2-0 win to send CIS back in the finals.
However, CIS, which is trying to better their runner-up finish last year, will have to overcome injuries to Gabi Aboitiz and Monica Moraza in the finals today.
"I rested Monica in the final game so she could play tomorrow (today)," said Arrojado.
Meanwhile, the CIS boys, coached by Rey Marañon, lost their first game yesterday, 41-24 to EIS before outclassing Brent Subic, 59-23.
The stifling CIS defense had them up 28-4 at the half, and it wasn't until the 6:38 mark of the third period that Subic got to double-digit score.
In their final game against Mica, CIS had the lead early, 7-4, on a trey by Michael Sharpe but the taller Mica squad fought their way back to take the lead, 18-16, at the end of the half.
Mica stretched the lead to 26-20 after three periods before Jerry Lee and Dominic Ugarte sparked a short rally for CIS to bring them within two, 28-26 with five minutes left in the final period.
However, after Lee fouled out, Mica scored 10 unanswered points to seal their win. Mica will face EIS in today's final.
BAGUIO City – The Cebu International School had a good start in the first day of the International Schools Athletic Conference (ISAC) here at Brent Baguio.
The Girls' football team took a temporary hold of the top spot after bagging two wins and a draw, while the Boys' basketball team also started with two means before stumbling in its final assignment, losing to Southville International School (SIS), 27-40.
"If we win both events, we will be the ISAC over-all champion," said CIS athletic director Brian Bedford. Last year, CIS shared the over-all trophy with Brent Manila.
In its first game, the CIS girls, who finished runner-up last year, had difficulty finding their target as they fought to a scoreless draw with defending champion, Brent Subic.
"Lisud ka-ayo makascore kay gamay ra ka-ayo ang oras," said CIS head coach, Dexter Arrojado, who is assisted by former University of Sto. Tomas varsity, Jessica Aspillaga. Each half runs for only 17 minutes.
In their next game, CIS leaned on the young Gabby Aboitiz for the lone goal in its 1-0 win over host Brent Baguio.
Monica Moraza had the best chance at the end of the first half after she was left along at the top of the box, however, her best effort only kissed the top bar.
Moraza forced the keeper to a diving save in the second half and Aboitiz banged in a bad clearance by a defender for the lone goal in the 29 th minute.
Baguio got a chance after winning an indirect free kick inside the box but their shot hit the CIS wall before getting cleared.
In their third game, it was Gabi Mercado's turn to wear the hero's cap for CIS, with a little help from a luckless keeper.
Mercado, who's never-give-up attitude has endeared her to the coaching staff, banged a shot off a corner that seemed harmless but the keeper, instead of catching the ground ball, opted to kick it out, and missed.
Aboitiz power shot in the 30th also sailed wide while the keeper got luck on her hands after managing to recover the ball after it slip through her feet a second time in the 32 nd.
CIS is now on top of the seven-team event with two wins and a draw, while Brent Subic is second with a win and two draws.
The girls will close out their elimination round today against European International School (EIS). British School Manila and Brent Manila.
Meanwhile, the CIS boys swept their first two games, 45-30, against Brent Manila and 48-34 against Brent Baguio before losing to SIS.
CIS took the lead against SIS, 2-0, on a basket by Dom Ugarte but SIS answered back with 12 answered points as they out-hustled CIS in all areas en route to a 21-6, SIS lead at the end of the first quarter.
CIS managed to get its act together in the second half behind Ugarte, who had two back to back triples as they clawed back to with in three, 18-21 before SIS answered back to stretch the lead to, 21-30 to seal their win.
Today, the boys of Rey Maranon will play EIS, Brent Subic and Mindanao Christian Academy.
The Girls' football team took a temporary hold of the top spot after bagging two wins and a draw, while the Boys' basketball team also started with two means before stumbling in its final assignment, losing to Southville International School (SIS), 27-40.
"If we win both events, we will be the ISAC over-all champion," said CIS athletic director Brian Bedford. Last year, CIS shared the over-all trophy with Brent Manila.
In its first game, the CIS girls, who finished runner-up last year, had difficulty finding their target as they fought to a scoreless draw with defending champion, Brent Subic.
"Lisud ka-ayo makascore kay gamay ra ka-ayo ang oras," said CIS head coach, Dexter Arrojado, who is assisted by former University of Sto. Tomas varsity, Jessica Aspillaga. Each half runs for only 17 minutes.
In their next game, CIS leaned on the young Gabby Aboitiz for the lone goal in its 1-0 win over host Brent Baguio.
Monica Moraza had the best chance at the end of the first half after she was left along at the top of the box, however, her best effort only kissed the top bar.
Moraza forced the keeper to a diving save in the second half and Aboitiz banged in a bad clearance by a defender for the lone goal in the 29 th minute.
Baguio got a chance after winning an indirect free kick inside the box but their shot hit the CIS wall before getting cleared.
In their third game, it was Gabi Mercado's turn to wear the hero's cap for CIS, with a little help from a luckless keeper.
Mercado, who's never-give-up attitude has endeared her to the coaching staff, banged a shot off a corner that seemed harmless but the keeper, instead of catching the ground ball, opted to kick it out, and missed.
Aboitiz power shot in the 30th also sailed wide while the keeper got luck on her hands after managing to recover the ball after it slip through her feet a second time in the 32 nd.
CIS is now on top of the seven-team event with two wins and a draw, while Brent Subic is second with a win and two draws.
The girls will close out their elimination round today against European International School (EIS). British School Manila and Brent Manila.
Meanwhile, the CIS boys swept their first two games, 45-30, against Brent Manila and 48-34 against Brent Baguio before losing to SIS.
CIS took the lead against SIS, 2-0, on a basket by Dom Ugarte but SIS answered back with 12 answered points as they out-hustled CIS in all areas en route to a 21-6, SIS lead at the end of the first quarter.
CIS managed to get its act together in the second half behind Ugarte, who had two back to back triples as they clawed back to with in three, 18-21 before SIS answered back to stretch the lead to, 21-30 to seal their win.
Today, the boys of Rey Maranon will play EIS, Brent Subic and Mindanao Christian Academy.
From the Philfootball.info Site.
Here is also the correction for our EWALD DENKER Tournament Invitation:
Sunday, April 2, Men's Open,
Sunday, April 23, Youth, 1991 and younger,
Sunday, April 30, Youth, 1989 and younger,
Sunday, May 7, Youth 1993 and younger,
Sunday, May 14, Youth, 1987 and younger.
Biltz tournament style, maximum 8 teams per category,
Lineup (22players) 30 min before the 1. game of the team,
Maximum per game (11players,3 substitutes,goalie substitute)
2 brackets, playing time depends on the number of teams,
all teams will receive a Trophy,
no registration fee.
Location: Lapu-Lapu, MEPZ 1 field
contact: Manfred, email: schuwerk@gmx.de, tel:34658371
Here is also the correction for our EWALD DENKER Tournament Invitation:
Sunday, April 2, Men's Open,
Sunday, April 23, Youth, 1991 and younger,
Sunday, April 30, Youth, 1989 and younger,
Sunday, May 7, Youth 1993 and younger,
Sunday, May 14, Youth, 1987 and younger.
Biltz tournament style, maximum 8 teams per category,
Lineup (22players) 30 min before the 1. game of the team,
Maximum per game (11players,3 substitutes,goalie substitute)
2 brackets, playing time depends on the number of teams,
all teams will receive a Trophy,
no registration fee.
Location: Lapu-Lapu, MEPZ 1 field
contact: Manfred, email: schuwerk@gmx.de, tel:34658371
/>FOOTBALL mags are as rare as a Pele sighting here in the Philippines. Imagine my surpise when I got a few in the mail last week, thanks to the Big Guy, man-mountain Jack Biantan, the former Sun.Star assistant sports editor who is now pulling his weight in London, with his newly-born son, Lucky.
He's coming home this May 4, and he said, he's going to donate an England jersey to the MVP of the Inter Club Invitational's Men's Open. And in classic Jack Biantanesque -- a bahag for the 38-above MVP."
FOOTBALL in Cebu is set to get a livelier as the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) is ready to spread the sport to the grassroots.
"With Ricky Dakay as our sports director for football, we can introduce football to the barangay level," said CCSC's Jack "The Wack" Jakosalem.
Dakay, who also sits at the Queen City Football Club board, was named the godfather for football in Cebu, a move by the CCSC to copy what Ed Hayco has done with the multi-awarded Team Cebu City-Dancesport.
The grassroots program is also expected to increase the population of football players in Cebu, which is already having problems with suitable playing venue.
However, Jakosalem and Dakay are already taking steps to address the perennial problem with the long planned football field at the South Reclaimation Project.
"The mayor has already approved that two football fields will be constructed at the SRP along with the planned multi-purpose park," said Jakosalem.
A field for baseball and softball will also be constructed at SRP.
"There is enough space," said Jakosalem.
Meanwhile, after the just concluded Red Ribbon Under-16 Cup, the Cebu Football Association is set to hold the Women's Open and Boys 18-under tournament.
Defending champion Queen City United, which went on to finish runner-up in Women's National Open to two-time champion Davao City last year, is expected to defend its title when the event opens in the next few weeks.
"With Ricky Dakay as our sports director for football, we can introduce football to the barangay level," said CCSC's Jack "The Wack" Jakosalem.
Dakay, who also sits at the Queen City Football Club board, was named the godfather for football in Cebu, a move by the CCSC to copy what Ed Hayco has done with the multi-awarded Team Cebu City-Dancesport.
The grassroots program is also expected to increase the population of football players in Cebu, which is already having problems with suitable playing venue.
However, Jakosalem and Dakay are already taking steps to address the perennial problem with the long planned football field at the South Reclaimation Project.
"The mayor has already approved that two football fields will be constructed at the SRP along with the planned multi-purpose park," said Jakosalem.
A field for baseball and softball will also be constructed at SRP.
"There is enough space," said Jakosalem.
Meanwhile, after the just concluded Red Ribbon Under-16 Cup, the Cebu Football Association is set to hold the Women's Open and Boys 18-under tournament.
Defending champion Queen City United, which went on to finish runner-up in Women's National Open to two-time champion Davao City last year, is expected to defend its title when the event opens in the next few weeks.
PAREF-Springdale bagged its fourth straight title after a surprisingly easy, 3-0, whipping of Hiroshi FC in the finals of the Red Ribbon Under-16 tournament at the San Roque Parish football field.
This year, Springdale has won the 1991 age group of the Thirsty Cup, Cebu International School Friendship Cup, while also bagging last year's Aboitiz 15 Under, also against Hiroshi.
Yesterday's win also capped Springdale's impressive campaign in the Red Ribbon, where it has not conceded a single goal while scoring 18 in its four wins.
"Kaluoy sa Ginu-o, na-champion," said Springdale coach Mario Ceniza, "I was a bit worried because we didn't get to practice much as the kids were busy with their exams."
Ceniza said he didn't field some of his players yesterday since it is their policy not to let players who missed the practices, play.
Ceniza need not worry as Carlos Veloso and Kevin Tecson's strong presence in the midfield allowed Springdale to control the game. It's pinpoint passing led to a 13th minute Dominic Garcia goal for a 1-0 lead.
Garcia could have added another but he was pulled in the penalty area in the 28th, preventing a strike. Veloso got even for the downed striker as he converted the penalty for a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, Hiroshi came up fighting and managed to harass Springdale but it couldn't find their mark.
Displaying his field-savvy, Veloso sent a perfect pass to a streaking Miguel Arriola for the final count.
For his leadership and all-around play, Veloso, acknowledged even by opposing coaches as the heart of the Springdale team, got the Most Valuable Player award while Tecson got the best midfielder award.
Paolo Pascual got the best keeper trophy while Jeryll Enriquez was named the best defender. Don Bosco College striker Francis Buot, who scored seven goals in two games, got the best striker award.
The win earned Springdale the right to represent Cebu in the National Red Ribbon Fiesta – a two day seven-a-side football tourney in Manila this April. More importantly, Springdale now forms the core of the Cebu City team that will join the International Children's Games in Bangkok, Thailand.
"It will be up to the (Cebu City) Sports Commission, if they want us to form the team, we will just recommend this team," Cebu Football Association president Jonathan Maximo said.
This year, Springdale has won the 1991 age group of the Thirsty Cup, Cebu International School Friendship Cup, while also bagging last year's Aboitiz 15 Under, also against Hiroshi.
Yesterday's win also capped Springdale's impressive campaign in the Red Ribbon, where it has not conceded a single goal while scoring 18 in its four wins.
"Kaluoy sa Ginu-o, na-champion," said Springdale coach Mario Ceniza, "I was a bit worried because we didn't get to practice much as the kids were busy with their exams."
Ceniza said he didn't field some of his players yesterday since it is their policy not to let players who missed the practices, play.
Ceniza need not worry as Carlos Veloso and Kevin Tecson's strong presence in the midfield allowed Springdale to control the game. It's pinpoint passing led to a 13th minute Dominic Garcia goal for a 1-0 lead.
Garcia could have added another but he was pulled in the penalty area in the 28th, preventing a strike. Veloso got even for the downed striker as he converted the penalty for a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, Hiroshi came up fighting and managed to harass Springdale but it couldn't find their mark.
Displaying his field-savvy, Veloso sent a perfect pass to a streaking Miguel Arriola for the final count.
For his leadership and all-around play, Veloso, acknowledged even by opposing coaches as the heart of the Springdale team, got the Most Valuable Player award while Tecson got the best midfielder award.
Paolo Pascual got the best keeper trophy while Jeryll Enriquez was named the best defender. Don Bosco College striker Francis Buot, who scored seven goals in two games, got the best striker award.
The win earned Springdale the right to represent Cebu in the National Red Ribbon Fiesta – a two day seven-a-side football tourney in Manila this April. More importantly, Springdale now forms the core of the Cebu City team that will join the International Children's Games in Bangkok, Thailand.
"It will be up to the (Cebu City) Sports Commission, if they want us to form the team, we will just recommend this team," Cebu Football Association president Jonathan Maximo said.
AFTER last year's 23rd Southeast Asian Games, football fans in Bacolod City are set to witness another international football extravaganza with the country's hosting of the qualifying round of the 2006 LG Cup.
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Johnny Romualdez is still waiting for the final confirmation from the Asean Football Federation.
"It's still unofficial because we haven't got the papers yet," said Romualdez. "If we get it, it will be most likely in Bacolod."
However, a report from the Vietnam Football Federation website already mentioned the Philippine's hosting of the event, slated Nov.
"Though the host country for the final round has not yet been chosen, the program will vary little from 2004. Accordingly, the qualifying round will be held in the Philippines from Nov. 7 to the 25 with the participation of Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Laos, and the Philippines. Brunei will join the tournament on the condition that the sponsor is not a beer or wine producer," said a part of the report posted at the Philfootball.info forum.
The qualifying round is a new thrust in the Asean Football Federation, which organizes the event, to give lower- ranked countries a chance to compete against themselves.
"The bottom five teams will play a round robin and the top two teams will advance to the final round. Previously, their were no qualifying rounds so the lower-ranked teams got beaten easily," said Romualdez.
Romualdez also said the Philippines has a good chance to qualify to the final round as the other teams in the qualifying round are not that strong.
In the 2004 edition, the Philippines defeated Timor Leste, 2-1, with Emilio Caligdong scoring two goals in the final two minutes. The Philippines also defeated Cambodia, 4-2, in the Seag.
The LG Cup, previously known as the Tiger Cup, will be the second international tournament for the Men's team this year. Next month, they are set to compete with the other bottom 15 teams in Asia in the AFC Challenge Cup in Bangladesh.
"This (Challenge Cup) will be tougher because this is the Asian level, not the Asean level," Romualdez said.
Chelsea FC reserves Philip and James Younghusband as well as Fil-Australian Leigh Dunn, who played for the Philippines a few years ago, are expected to be in the Challenge Cup team.
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Johnny Romualdez is still waiting for the final confirmation from the Asean Football Federation.
"It's still unofficial because we haven't got the papers yet," said Romualdez. "If we get it, it will be most likely in Bacolod."
However, a report from the Vietnam Football Federation website already mentioned the Philippine's hosting of the event, slated Nov.
"Though the host country for the final round has not yet been chosen, the program will vary little from 2004. Accordingly, the qualifying round will be held in the Philippines from Nov. 7 to the 25 with the participation of Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Laos, and the Philippines. Brunei will join the tournament on the condition that the sponsor is not a beer or wine producer," said a part of the report posted at the Philfootball.info forum.
The qualifying round is a new thrust in the Asean Football Federation, which organizes the event, to give lower- ranked countries a chance to compete against themselves.
"The bottom five teams will play a round robin and the top two teams will advance to the final round. Previously, their were no qualifying rounds so the lower-ranked teams got beaten easily," said Romualdez.
Romualdez also said the Philippines has a good chance to qualify to the final round as the other teams in the qualifying round are not that strong.
In the 2004 edition, the Philippines defeated Timor Leste, 2-1, with Emilio Caligdong scoring two goals in the final two minutes. The Philippines also defeated Cambodia, 4-2, in the Seag.
The LG Cup, previously known as the Tiger Cup, will be the second international tournament for the Men's team this year. Next month, they are set to compete with the other bottom 15 teams in Asia in the AFC Challenge Cup in Bangladesh.
"This (Challenge Cup) will be tougher because this is the Asian level, not the Asean level," Romualdez said.
Chelsea FC reserves Philip and James Younghusband as well as Fil-Australian Leigh Dunn, who played for the Philippines a few years ago, are expected to be in the Challenge Cup team.
AFTER ED Hayco's successful handling of Team Cebu City-Dancesport, the Cebu City Sports Commission is mulling to appoint a 'godfather' to take care of each sport, to duplicate the dance czar's achievement with dancesport.
"We want to spread what Ed Hayco has done to the other sport, the godfather doesn't necessarily have to be a player of that sport, he should just have the passion and can devote his time for the sport," said Jack Jakosalem of the Cebu City Sports Commission.
Hayco, and his wife Eleanor have helped raised the level of Dancesport in the city, leading to Cebuanos domination of dancesport in the national level and culminating to a gold medal sweep in last year's Southeast Asian
Among the 'godfathers' the commission are looking are Juan Uy for swimming, Ryan Rivera for gymnastics, Glen Soco for volleyball and Ricky Dakay for football.
According to Jakosalem, Uy wanted to spread swimming in the Barangay level but his project did not push through.
"We heard he wanted to do a project before, in 2001, so that shows he's passionate for swimming," said Jakosalem.
On the other hand, football coach Mario Ceniza said Dakay is the perfect choice for football.
"He's a fanatic, he even spent his own money to renovate the Springdale field and he also intalled lights," said Ceniza, who was two years Dakay's senior at the University of San Carlos collegiate team.
Dakay is also an officer of the Queen City United club, which is hosting a cash-rich tournament this summer.
According to Jakosalem, Dakay is also helping the City design the planned football field at the South Reclamation Project.
Jakosalem also said they are still looking for other persons to head the other sports and also clarified the confirmations of the appointed godfathers will come later this month.
"We want to spread what Ed Hayco has done to the other sport, the godfather doesn't necessarily have to be a player of that sport, he should just have the passion and can devote his time for the sport," said Jack Jakosalem of the Cebu City Sports Commission.
Hayco, and his wife Eleanor have helped raised the level of Dancesport in the city, leading to Cebuanos domination of dancesport in the national level and culminating to a gold medal sweep in last year's Southeast Asian
Among the 'godfathers' the commission are looking are Juan Uy for swimming, Ryan Rivera for gymnastics, Glen Soco for volleyball and Ricky Dakay for football.
According to Jakosalem, Uy wanted to spread swimming in the Barangay level but his project did not push through.
"We heard he wanted to do a project before, in 2001, so that shows he's passionate for swimming," said Jakosalem.
On the other hand, football coach Mario Ceniza said Dakay is the perfect choice for football.
"He's a fanatic, he even spent his own money to renovate the Springdale field and he also intalled lights," said Ceniza, who was two years Dakay's senior at the University of San Carlos collegiate team.
Dakay is also an officer of the Queen City United club, which is hosting a cash-rich tournament this summer.
According to Jakosalem, Dakay is also helping the City design the planned football field at the South Reclamation Project.
Jakosalem also said they are still looking for other persons to head the other sports and also clarified the confirmations of the appointed godfathers will come later this month.
I was informed by our managing editor for news that somebody called to complain about my football stories. The person said, he wished that _____ gets the same level of coverage as ______ and that the kids were disappointed.
Come on guys, give me a break. I've been giving equal space to all teams out there. (I never got to talk to the guy. So for those who have complains, call me, heck, i've posted my number here lot's of times, again its 09274400368)
My first reaction, when I was informed of the call, was that person must have not read our paper in months. But, I may be wrong, I may be seeing things in a different perspective.
So, am I?
I also thought, it may have something to do with the pictures that gets published in the paper. Yes, I think one school gets the lions share of the pictures, but it's not my fault.
During tournaments, the protocol in the newsroom is, the day before you sked the photo assignment. And i always write, Red Ribbon tournament at San Roque: 1 to 5 p.m., I never say what game to take photos of. Except during the finals, like: CIS cup, 8 to 5 p.m., finals starts at 3 p.m.
As to contributed fotos, heck, I've been telling everybody with a camera to send me a picture, and so far, only one school sends me one.
So give me a break, will you?
Come on guys, give me a break. I've been giving equal space to all teams out there. (I never got to talk to the guy. So for those who have complains, call me, heck, i've posted my number here lot's of times, again its 09274400368)
My first reaction, when I was informed of the call, was that person must have not read our paper in months. But, I may be wrong, I may be seeing things in a different perspective.
So, am I?
I also thought, it may have something to do with the pictures that gets published in the paper. Yes, I think one school gets the lions share of the pictures, but it's not my fault.
During tournaments, the protocol in the newsroom is, the day before you sked the photo assignment. And i always write, Red Ribbon tournament at San Roque: 1 to 5 p.m., I never say what game to take photos of. Except during the finals, like: CIS cup, 8 to 5 p.m., finals starts at 3 p.m.
As to contributed fotos, heck, I've been telling everybody with a camera to send me a picture, and so far, only one school sends me one.
So give me a break, will you?
Hi folks, I'm trying to compile a record of the win streak of the different teams here in Cebu. By win streak, I mean winning the title, as there are some discrepancies with the age group competition, precisely when some competitions are labled as U12 and the other competitions are defined as for the elementary level etc., well. Here come's you.
Here's my compilation (and do correct me if I'm wrong, my record tallying starts from Jan. of 2005)
PU6: none yet
PU8: none yet
PU10: none yet
BU12: DB (?), Milo (05), City Olympics,
BU14:Paref (?)
B17:CIS (CIS, Aboitiz, San Roque, Thirsty)
G17:CIS (Aboitiz, San Roque, Thirsty)
highschool:
elementary:
college:(none that I know of, recent champions, UV, are on their first year)
Here's my compilation (and do correct me if I'm wrong, my record tallying starts from Jan. of 2005)
PU6: none yet
PU8: none yet
PU10: none yet
BU12: DB (?), Milo (05), City Olympics,
BU14:Paref (?)
B17:CIS (CIS, Aboitiz, San Roque, Thirsty)
G17:CIS (Aboitiz, San Roque, Thirsty)
highschool:
elementary:
college:(none that I know of, recent champions, UV, are on their first year)
SUMMER in Cebu means football extravaganza as the Cebu Inter-Club Invitational tournament gets bigger with P90,000 in total prizes, while another club is staging its own tournament.
The Inter Club, organized by Queen City United will be in the last week of April while FC Inter Cebu is also staging the Denker Cup, a full 11-a-side game for the Men's side alone in various playdates next month.
From last year's P30,000 top prize, Queen City has increased the purse to P45,000 to the men's champion. The Ladies' Open purse is P30,000 while the 38-and-above division champion will pocket P15,000.
Among the teams who have confirmed their participation in the summer event are De la Salle University, which has Cebuano Oliver Colina in its lineup, West Negros College, coached by Norman Fegidero, the RP team hero in its 1-0 win over Malaysia in the 1991 Southeast Asian Games and Ormoc FC.
Aside from the Men's team, they will also have a Women's Competition and a 38-and-above category, which has already attracted teams from Davao and Iligan.
Cebu teams in the Men's division are Hiroshi FC and Queen City United, who is already beefing up their line up with a series of trials.
We can't pick up Junjun (Fegidero) because of his suspension, but we have three former Carmen (National School) players with us now," said coach Mario Ceniza, who also coached Carmen.
Reston, Ronald Mahilum and Agustin Bardinas, formerly of Carmen, are now practicing regularly with Queen City.
We will know the final line up by April, because we will also join the Denker Cup," said Ceniza.
The Denker Cup Men's Open, which will bein Lapu-Lapu City, will be on April 1, while the 1993 age group will be on March 26, 1991 age group on April 23 and 1989 on April 30.
Meanwhile, Colina, who was part of the national training pool in last year's Seag is inviting Cebuanos who want to join DLSU for a trials this summer.
"This is for those who will be in first year college," said Colina. Intersted players may contact Colina at 0916-5042516.
The Inter Club, organized by Queen City United will be in the last week of April while FC Inter Cebu is also staging the Denker Cup, a full 11-a-side game for the Men's side alone in various playdates next month.
From last year's P30,000 top prize, Queen City has increased the purse to P45,000 to the men's champion. The Ladies' Open purse is P30,000 while the 38-and-above division champion will pocket P15,000.
Among the teams who have confirmed their participation in the summer event are De la Salle University, which has Cebuano Oliver Colina in its lineup, West Negros College, coached by Norman Fegidero, the RP team hero in its 1-0 win over Malaysia in the 1991 Southeast Asian Games and Ormoc FC.
Aside from the Men's team, they will also have a Women's Competition and a 38-and-above category, which has already attracted teams from Davao and Iligan.
Cebu teams in the Men's division are Hiroshi FC and Queen City United, who is already beefing up their line up with a series of trials.
We can't pick up Junjun (Fegidero) because of his suspension, but we have three former Carmen (National School) players with us now," said coach Mario Ceniza, who also coached Carmen.
Reston, Ronald Mahilum and Agustin Bardinas, formerly of Carmen, are now practicing regularly with Queen City.
We will know the final line up by April, because we will also join the Denker Cup," said Ceniza.
The Denker Cup Men's Open, which will bein Lapu-Lapu City, will be on April 1, while the 1993 age group will be on March 26, 1991 age group on April 23 and 1989 on April 30.
Meanwhile, Colina, who was part of the national training pool in last year's Seag is inviting Cebuanos who want to join DLSU for a trials this summer.
"This is for those who will be in first year college," said Colina. Intersted players may contact Colina at 0916-5042516.
I got another cd full of pictures from the Thirsty Cup. It's a bit late. But what the heck. It's wonderful. (click on photo to enlarge)
The oath of sportsmanship -- forgotten the next day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack "The Wack" Jakosalem addresses the participants.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Young boys from bright protect their "assets."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faces in the crowd -- innocent faces.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Always stretch up before a game to prevent injuries.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Look at the keeper's face and you see courage and determination.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
If you can't stop 'er, hold 'er.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Girls cheer for their teammates on the field.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hail to the champions. And a piggyback ride to the MVP.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An ugly end to a festival.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A picture paints a thousand words.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The oath of sportsmanship -- forgotten the next day.------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack "The Wack" Jakosalem addresses the participants.------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Young boys from bright protect their "assets."------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faces in the crowd -- innocent faces.------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Always stretch up before a game to prevent injuries.------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Look at the keeper's face and you see courage and determination.---------------------------------------------------------------------
If you can't stop 'er, hold 'er.------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Girls cheer for their teammates on the field.------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hail to the champions. And a piggyback ride to the MVP.------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An ugly end to a festival.------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A picture paints a thousand words.------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(to anyone who want their photos published in the blog, just email me at mikelimpag.gmail.com)
The youngest champion, DBC-Giussepe A, composed of Lornezo Genzo, who scored eight goals in their and Anderson Villagracia, who had six, including the title-clincher. Other members of the team are Johann Samosa, Gab Lopez, Graem Liu, Jack Sembrano and goalkeeper Agustin Roa.
They won all their games without conceding a goal, defeating DB-Giussepe B, 2-0; Springdale, 1-0; Asian Shipping, 2-0; Sacred Heart School-Jesuit, 4-0; and San Roque FC B, 5-0.
In the finals, they repeated over Springdale, 1-0.
The youngest champion, DBC-Giussepe A, composed of Lornezo Genzo, who scored eight goals in their and Anderson Villagracia, who had six, including the title-clincher. Other members of the team are Johann Samosa, Gab Lopez, Graem Liu, Jack Sembrano and goalkeeper Agustin Roa.
They won all their games without conceding a goal, defeating DB-Giussepe B, 2-0; Springdale, 1-0; Asian Shipping, 2-0; Sacred Heart School-Jesuit, 4-0; and San Roque FC B, 5-0.
In the finals, they repeated over Springdale, 1-0.
THE DON Bosco College (DBC) football teams reigned in the Cebu International School Friendship Cup after taking five champion's trophy.
The Friendship Cup also depicted the picture of Cebu football – DBC and Paref-Springdale figured prominently in the youth age-groups while the CIS ladies showed they are the team to beat in the distaff side as they swept the two titles.
DBC-Giusseppe A started the title haul for the Bosconians as it defeated Springdale, 1-0, in the Players 6 finals to complete an impressive run of seven straight wins without conceding a single goal.
Lornezo Genzo, scored eight goals in their run while Anderson Villagracia had six, including the title-clincher. Other members of the team are Johann Samosa, Gab Lopez, Graem Liu, Jack Sembrano and goalkeeper Agustin Roa.
In the 8-under finals, DBC defeated M. Lhuillier-Canduman, 1-0, to take home the title, while their 10-under squad also defeated rival Springdale, 1-0, to top the division.
Valentino Calvo scored the lone goal while Jerome Vestil keep the goal clean for their win. Other members of their team are Carlo Abella, Christian Agot, Junjie Arizabal, Levine Inez, Paolo Labajo, Joseph Mercado and Bency Villanueva.
It was an all Bosconian affair in the P12 division as DBC A defeated DBC B, 1-0 to take the crown. Both teams defeated the two Asian Shipping teams, 1-0, in their semifinal showdown.
Don Bosco's 17-Under squad also ruled the 17-Under division, taking the crown, 5-4, after sudden-death shoot-outs. RJ Sembrano missed a chance to take the title for Springdale as he bungled a penalty shot in the dying minutes, sending the game to a shoot-out.
Springdale's 14-Under squad, led by Paolo Pascual averted a shut-out as they took the division after a 2-0 win over CIS.
In the ladies side, CIS A defeated sister team CIS-B, 6-2 in the 19-under division, before their 14-Under team scored a 3-0 shoot-out win over San Roque Football Club in the finals.
Meanwhile despite having 86 teams in the CIS Cup, no untoward incident happened and CIS director Mark Bretherton attributed it to the absence of the men's teams.
"The atmosphere here is calm, yet competitive because the men's teams aren't here. There is no tension," he said.
No player was sent out yesterday and the most heated match was the Under-17 finals between Springdale and DBC, where some of the players got roughhoused.
The Friendship Cup also depicted the picture of Cebu football – DBC and Paref-Springdale figured prominently in the youth age-groups while the CIS ladies showed they are the team to beat in the distaff side as they swept the two titles.
DBC-Giusseppe A started the title haul for the Bosconians as it defeated Springdale, 1-0, in the Players 6 finals to complete an impressive run of seven straight wins without conceding a single goal.
Lornezo Genzo, scored eight goals in their run while Anderson Villagracia had six, including the title-clincher. Other members of the team are Johann Samosa, Gab Lopez, Graem Liu, Jack Sembrano and goalkeeper Agustin Roa.
In the 8-under finals, DBC defeated M. Lhuillier-Canduman, 1-0, to take home the title, while their 10-under squad also defeated rival Springdale, 1-0, to top the division.
Valentino Calvo scored the lone goal while Jerome Vestil keep the goal clean for their win. Other members of their team are Carlo Abella, Christian Agot, Junjie Arizabal, Levine Inez, Paolo Labajo, Joseph Mercado and Bency Villanueva.
It was an all Bosconian affair in the P12 division as DBC A defeated DBC B, 1-0 to take the crown. Both teams defeated the two Asian Shipping teams, 1-0, in their semifinal showdown.
Don Bosco's 17-Under squad also ruled the 17-Under division, taking the crown, 5-4, after sudden-death shoot-outs. RJ Sembrano missed a chance to take the title for Springdale as he bungled a penalty shot in the dying minutes, sending the game to a shoot-out.
Springdale's 14-Under squad, led by Paolo Pascual averted a shut-out as they took the division after a 2-0 win over CIS.
In the ladies side, CIS A defeated sister team CIS-B, 6-2 in the 19-under division, before their 14-Under team scored a 3-0 shoot-out win over San Roque Football Club in the finals.
Meanwhile despite having 86 teams in the CIS Cup, no untoward incident happened and CIS director Mark Bretherton attributed it to the absence of the men's teams.
"The atmosphere here is calm, yet competitive because the men's teams aren't here. There is no tension," he said.
No player was sent out yesterday and the most heated match was the Under-17 finals between Springdale and DBC, where some of the players got roughhoused.
he third Cebu International School (CIS) Friendship Cup kicks off this Saturday with a limited field and revised rules at the CIS field.
Instead of offering competitions in the age group and senior teams, CIS has limited this year’s tournament to the age-group level, from Players 6 to Boys and Girls 17-Under — minus the senior division.
“We have over 80 school-based teams coming over,” said CIS athletic director Brian Bedford.
The other age groups are Players 8, Players 10, Players 12, Girls 14, Girls 19, Boys 14 and Boys 17.
Basketball
Ironically, the CIS Boys 17 team, which has won the past four titles in the age group in Cebu, won’t be playing in the CIS friendship Cup as most members of the team are playing in a basketball league.
“We asked them if they wanted to play, but they said they couldn’t,” Bedford said.
On the other hand, its Girls 17 team, which has also won four titles of its own including the Thirsty Cup, is fresh from a win from Dumaguete last weekend.
CIS won its semifinal match, 4-0, with Presley Cunningham scoring three goals, while Monica Moraza had two in their 4-2 win over Dumaguete FC in the finals. Moraza also got the Most Valuable Player award.
Aside from the Dumaguete meet, the CIS Girls and Boys 17-under teams won the San Roque, Aboitiz and Thirsty Cup titles.
Meanwhile, CIS, will implement a new rule in the tournament, which is addressed to stop time-wasting tactics by teams which are leading in close matches.
In seven-a-side football, goal kicks are not allowed to cross the half court line, and if it does, the kicker is ordered to retake it. During the Thirsty Cup, keepers kept on crossing the line and got ordered to retake, wasting precious seconds in matches that only last 10 to 15 minutes.
In the Friendship Cup, if a goal kick crosses the half court line, a freekick will be awarded to the other team from the spot where the goal kick was taken.
Instead of offering competitions in the age group and senior teams, CIS has limited this year’s tournament to the age-group level, from Players 6 to Boys and Girls 17-Under — minus the senior division.
“We have over 80 school-based teams coming over,” said CIS athletic director Brian Bedford.
The other age groups are Players 8, Players 10, Players 12, Girls 14, Girls 19, Boys 14 and Boys 17.
Basketball
Ironically, the CIS Boys 17 team, which has won the past four titles in the age group in Cebu, won’t be playing in the CIS friendship Cup as most members of the team are playing in a basketball league.
“We asked them if they wanted to play, but they said they couldn’t,” Bedford said.
On the other hand, its Girls 17 team, which has also won four titles of its own including the Thirsty Cup, is fresh from a win from Dumaguete last weekend.
CIS won its semifinal match, 4-0, with Presley Cunningham scoring three goals, while Monica Moraza had two in their 4-2 win over Dumaguete FC in the finals. Moraza also got the Most Valuable Player award.
Aside from the Dumaguete meet, the CIS Girls and Boys 17-under teams won the San Roque, Aboitiz and Thirsty Cup titles.
Meanwhile, CIS, will implement a new rule in the tournament, which is addressed to stop time-wasting tactics by teams which are leading in close matches.
In seven-a-side football, goal kicks are not allowed to cross the half court line, and if it does, the kicker is ordered to retake it. During the Thirsty Cup, keepers kept on crossing the line and got ordered to retake, wasting precious seconds in matches that only last 10 to 15 minutes.
In the Friendship Cup, if a goal kick crosses the half court line, a freekick will be awarded to the other team from the spot where the goal kick was taken.
The Philippines after all will be represented in the biennial Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 Women's Championship qualification competition in Bangkok on 05-09 March 2006 after it appointed former Philippine Olympic Committee president Cristy Ramos the match commissioner for the Group 2 (ASEAN) qualifiers which includes host Thailand, Myanmar and new AFC member Australia.
The Philippine team missed the bus to the AFC Under-19 Women's Qualifiers when the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) failed to submit its entry form on time due to "clerical error." The PFF sent its entry form on 03 January 2006 while the AFC set the deadline on 31 August 2005.
"The AFC Under-19 Women's Qualifiers is a very important competition as it is really the first step to qualify for the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Russia in August this year. The PFF did a great disservice to Philippine football when it failed to submit the entry form on time," Ramos said. Ramos serves as the deputy chairman of the AFC Women's Committee and is the only Filipino in the AFC match commissioners' panel.
Aside from the Group 2 eliminations, other qualifiers are also ongoing to determine the last four teams for the final round. Host Chinese Taipei plays against Hong Kong and Japan in Group 1 (East Asia) eliminations on 01-05 March 2006; India hosts Group 3 (Central/South Asia) which includes Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on 05-09 March 2006; and host Jordan plays Bangladesh and Singapore in Group 4 (Central/West Asia) on 01-05 March 2006. Singapore, originally under Group 2, drew to play in Group 4 for a more balanced format.
All competitions are being played on a single round-robin format with the top team from each group advancing to the final round of the AFC Under-19 Women's Championship. Korea Republic, China, DPR Korea and host Malaysia have already qualified for the finals slated on 19-30 April 2006 in Malaysia. The AFC will send the top three teams to represent Asia in this year's FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup.
(from email)
The Philippine team missed the bus to the AFC Under-19 Women's Qualifiers when the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) failed to submit its entry form on time due to "clerical error." The PFF sent its entry form on 03 January 2006 while the AFC set the deadline on 31 August 2005.
"The AFC Under-19 Women's Qualifiers is a very important competition as it is really the first step to qualify for the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Russia in August this year. The PFF did a great disservice to Philippine football when it failed to submit the entry form on time," Ramos said. Ramos serves as the deputy chairman of the AFC Women's Committee and is the only Filipino in the AFC match commissioners' panel.
Aside from the Group 2 eliminations, other qualifiers are also ongoing to determine the last four teams for the final round. Host Chinese Taipei plays against Hong Kong and Japan in Group 1 (East Asia) eliminations on 01-05 March 2006; India hosts Group 3 (Central/South Asia) which includes Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on 05-09 March 2006; and host Jordan plays Bangladesh and Singapore in Group 4 (Central/West Asia) on 01-05 March 2006. Singapore, originally under Group 2, drew to play in Group 4 for a more balanced format.
All competitions are being played on a single round-robin format with the top team from each group advancing to the final round of the AFC Under-19 Women's Championship. Korea Republic, China, DPR Korea and host Malaysia have already qualified for the finals slated on 19-30 April 2006 in Malaysia. The AFC will send the top three teams to represent Asia in this year's FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup.
(from email)
I started playing football when I was nine or ten. Together with some friends, we would stand behind the goal post as ball boys. For every errant ball, we’d get a few dribbles and one lousy kick.
As we grew older, we were no longer ball boys, and got to play on the field. Together with guys five or ten years older. We’d play full eleven a side, or five on five with one keeper. Or if the numbers don’t divide evenly, the keeper gets a friend. A lone defender against the two sides.
During summer, we’d be on the field at 7, return home for lunch, and get back at 1 p.m. I swear, some of my friends’ skin, up to this day, still have to recover from that too much sun.
Saturdays and Sundays were the busiest time. There would be one full game going on, while a few slackers would wait at the side to sub. Rules were simple, no hard fouls. In fact, I don’t remember seeing a single hard foul. There were no fights either.
The only guys who got physical were the guys who were wooing the same girl who happened to be watching. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed. There were no vicious tackles, no cheap shots nor elbows that is normal here in Cebu. We had no referees either.
Looking back, it seemed comical. Defender says to striker, “You’re offside” Striker says, while trying to elude defender and looking for a teammate to pass, “You blind?” They would keep on arguing while playing and the unwritten rule was, in close calls, the offense will be called on you only and ONLY if a teammate concedes and not when the other team questions you.
I can’t even begin to describe the rules on calling a penalty.
We played safe by Cebu standards. I mean, who would want to tackle a friend? A neighbor? We just played the game.
Though I think there was this one guy who attracted too much attention both from his and the opposing side. We call him the “alligator man” because, passing for him was an after thought. One frustrated teammate even tripped him and pointed to another guy when he got up.
One game, he left early to join a basketball game, which was just behind the field. Nobody really noticed he left until someone shouted “pasa lagi bay!!!” Believe me, we all stopped playing, looked at the basketball court and one said it for all of us, “o, na-abot napud siya digto?”
During one local basketball league, the PA announcer bellowed after a layup by that guy, “another alligator play by…”
In high school, we played for different teams and clashed regularly. The rivalry was intense, but it was always limited on the field. Off the field, we were not footballers, but just boys.
In one Coke-go-for-goal match, we were the favorites. Our team then, was composed of the very same team who had gone to the national finals and before that, gave Mindanao champion Iligan their first defeat in five years.
The officials were all calling us the first Mindanao team to win it all, as early as the provincial eliminations.
That’s when we lost, a midfielder struck from way deep, while our keeper stumbled on the way back. The opposing team even heckled us at our own court. “National champions! You have to win over us first!”
That day, I learned the meaning of frustration. We just couldn’t score, we had attempts every five minutes, and either it hits the post, goes high or goes straight to the keeper.
I remember it was the last time I prayed, “Just one, Lord, just one, I promise I will be a good boy from now on,”
Still we lost. (I’m still a good boy) The goal scorer was just the next door neighbor of our keeper. Afterwards, our keeper and that darn scorer teamed up in doubles for the provincial meet in tennis and won.
In one district meet, I remember getting hit in my “you know where” by a defender, and was writhing in intense pain. The guilty defender, while the ball was still in play, tried to help me, and his keeper berated him “Pasagdi na bay, nag drama ra na!”
After the ball went out of bounds, that keeper rushed at me and asked, “Ok ra ka bay?” I said, “(expletive deleted) ka bay? Unsang drama, kaw daw maigo sa (bleep) lalim ba?”
After the game, that keeper, who was my backdoor neighbor drove us, and a few teammates home.
The last time I went home was two years ago, our field is still there. The goal post, barely standing, the grass still green. But nobody plays anymore. Kids are busy with cable tv or the internet.
I was two years off a job as a reporter, covering the football beat among others.
Footballers in Cebu are a lucky and spoiled bunch. But sometimes, I think they have the wrong notion of football. Brawling during a game is unheard of in our place.
After that brawl, the veterans said, “that was nothing, back in our days, they’d bring pipes and all,” “That’s no brawl!”
The players in the brawl blamed everyone, from the CFA to faulty officiating and we heard lots of tales from veterans of fights in their past, of fierce rivalry and bad officials.
You want a “haveyougotabetterstory” about rivalries? Heck we once played surrounded by a squad of marines. You want a story on poor officiating? One provincial meet we only had one, ONE match official because he didn’t know he had to have linesmen, much more the offside rule.
Once, I wished, I grew up playing football in Cebu. So I could have as many tournaments and clinics to join.
Now, I no longer wish that. I am glad that I learned football in a sleepy town down south. Where the sport is not about winning but playing, where whenever one goes down, you help him, regardless of who he plays for.
Where after an intense district finals, you go home on the same jeep together, and play another round in your field. Or after your respective teams practice, you play one game together at home.
Or after facing each other in football, you face each other in baseball, play together in tennis, and compete against one another in quiz bowls, or writing contests.
We may never have produced a national team player, nor a national champion. The closest we got, was when we qualified for the national finals.
But we produced the best damn footballers. Footballers who are intense rivals on the field, and off the field, are friends who happen to share the same passion for football.
Not footballers, who only want to win and blame anyone else for their loss.
Except themselves.
As we grew older, we were no longer ball boys, and got to play on the field. Together with guys five or ten years older. We’d play full eleven a side, or five on five with one keeper. Or if the numbers don’t divide evenly, the keeper gets a friend. A lone defender against the two sides.
During summer, we’d be on the field at 7, return home for lunch, and get back at 1 p.m. I swear, some of my friends’ skin, up to this day, still have to recover from that too much sun.
Saturdays and Sundays were the busiest time. There would be one full game going on, while a few slackers would wait at the side to sub. Rules were simple, no hard fouls. In fact, I don’t remember seeing a single hard foul. There were no fights either.
The only guys who got physical were the guys who were wooing the same girl who happened to be watching. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed. There were no vicious tackles, no cheap shots nor elbows that is normal here in Cebu. We had no referees either.
Looking back, it seemed comical. Defender says to striker, “You’re offside” Striker says, while trying to elude defender and looking for a teammate to pass, “You blind?” They would keep on arguing while playing and the unwritten rule was, in close calls, the offense will be called on you only and ONLY if a teammate concedes and not when the other team questions you.
I can’t even begin to describe the rules on calling a penalty.
We played safe by Cebu standards. I mean, who would want to tackle a friend? A neighbor? We just played the game.
Though I think there was this one guy who attracted too much attention both from his and the opposing side. We call him the “alligator man” because, passing for him was an after thought. One frustrated teammate even tripped him and pointed to another guy when he got up.
One game, he left early to join a basketball game, which was just behind the field. Nobody really noticed he left until someone shouted “pasa lagi bay!!!” Believe me, we all stopped playing, looked at the basketball court and one said it for all of us, “o, na-abot napud siya digto?”
During one local basketball league, the PA announcer bellowed after a layup by that guy, “another alligator play by…”
In high school, we played for different teams and clashed regularly. The rivalry was intense, but it was always limited on the field. Off the field, we were not footballers, but just boys.
In one Coke-go-for-goal match, we were the favorites. Our team then, was composed of the very same team who had gone to the national finals and before that, gave Mindanao champion Iligan their first defeat in five years.
The officials were all calling us the first Mindanao team to win it all, as early as the provincial eliminations.
That’s when we lost, a midfielder struck from way deep, while our keeper stumbled on the way back. The opposing team even heckled us at our own court. “National champions! You have to win over us first!”
That day, I learned the meaning of frustration. We just couldn’t score, we had attempts every five minutes, and either it hits the post, goes high or goes straight to the keeper.
I remember it was the last time I prayed, “Just one, Lord, just one, I promise I will be a good boy from now on,”
Still we lost. (I’m still a good boy) The goal scorer was just the next door neighbor of our keeper. Afterwards, our keeper and that darn scorer teamed up in doubles for the provincial meet in tennis and won.
In one district meet, I remember getting hit in my “you know where” by a defender, and was writhing in intense pain. The guilty defender, while the ball was still in play, tried to help me, and his keeper berated him “Pasagdi na bay, nag drama ra na!”
After the ball went out of bounds, that keeper rushed at me and asked, “Ok ra ka bay?” I said, “(expletive deleted) ka bay? Unsang drama, kaw daw maigo sa (bleep) lalim ba?”
After the game, that keeper, who was my backdoor neighbor drove us, and a few teammates home.
The last time I went home was two years ago, our field is still there. The goal post, barely standing, the grass still green. But nobody plays anymore. Kids are busy with cable tv or the internet.
I was two years off a job as a reporter, covering the football beat among others.
Footballers in Cebu are a lucky and spoiled bunch. But sometimes, I think they have the wrong notion of football. Brawling during a game is unheard of in our place.
After that brawl, the veterans said, “that was nothing, back in our days, they’d bring pipes and all,” “That’s no brawl!”
The players in the brawl blamed everyone, from the CFA to faulty officiating and we heard lots of tales from veterans of fights in their past, of fierce rivalry and bad officials.
You want a “haveyougotabetterstory” about rivalries? Heck we once played surrounded by a squad of marines. You want a story on poor officiating? One provincial meet we only had one, ONE match official because he didn’t know he had to have linesmen, much more the offside rule.
Once, I wished, I grew up playing football in Cebu. So I could have as many tournaments and clinics to join.
Now, I no longer wish that. I am glad that I learned football in a sleepy town down south. Where the sport is not about winning but playing, where whenever one goes down, you help him, regardless of who he plays for.
Where after an intense district finals, you go home on the same jeep together, and play another round in your field. Or after your respective teams practice, you play one game together at home.
Or after facing each other in football, you face each other in baseball, play together in tennis, and compete against one another in quiz bowls, or writing contests.
We may never have produced a national team player, nor a national champion. The closest we got, was when we qualified for the national finals.
But we produced the best damn footballers. Footballers who are intense rivals on the field, and off the field, are friends who happen to share the same passion for football.
Not footballers, who only want to win and blame anyone else for their loss.
Except themselves.
Seven players got suspended for one tournament after that ugly brawl in the Aboitiz Champions league.
One tournament and we all hear these grumbles and all. The ref was wrong, they should have provided security during the match, this player should have been red carded, blah..blah..blah.
You hear too many things, but never this “I’m sorry, what I did was wrong, I accept the sanction and I regret my actions.”
Simple, profound and effective.
Instead, what we have are “itstheirfault” stories.
They brawled and got suspended for one tournament, which for me is a slap in the wrist. They’re lucky that they got away with it. Methinks the sanction should have been longer, they should have been banned for a year at least from any form of football.
So they blamed faulty officiating for the brawl. The most stupid excuse I have ever heard.
My high school coach never had the technical know how, but he was good in a lot of things. During the half time break of one heated match against an out of towner, when we were surrounded by a squad of marines (Heck you want stories about rivalries?) we told him that we were getting beat on the field and the ref was doing nothing about it.
He told us, “So? That’s not an excuse to fight back. Just play football, if you get roughed up, and the foul isn’t called, let me do the shouting. It’s my job, if you retaliate, you’re off the team.”
We played meekly and lost miserably, but I think we came out the better players. A few years after that game, we became friends with that team and they apologized for their misdeeds. “Pasensya na bay, kabalo man gud mi na pabor sa amo ang ref.”
A year before that, we were facing the same team in the provincial finals in their own turf, and we had to beat them twice. The matches were so heated two of our guys were sent to the hospital.
It was the start of an ugly rivalry that lasted for five years and saw a single player getting rushed to the hospital every time we met.
The first game we won, 2-0, but it was tough, and we are talking about secondary school football! When our striker scored the second goal, a split second later he was tackled viciously and broke his shin in two places. No foul. Guy was rushed to the hospital by our teachers (we had no medics then)
That afternoon, (the second game was the next day) another striker, who was drinking water off a pump well (I came from the province remember) got beaten up by four guys using pipes and baseball bats. Second guy we rushed to the hospital.
The night before the finals, we told our coach, we won’t show up. They are playing dirty. We have no security. (It was a DECS now DepEd meet)
Our coach would have none of that. Do you want them to beat us before we face them? Let us show them that they can not beat us. Let’s show up tomorrow, but I have a plan…
So we talked about his plan and we all agreed it was better.
Day of the final, we showed up, warmed up and limbered. All the while, eyeing the other team, showing that they didn’t scare us. Heck one guy even overdid it, shouting, “Mao na ni, bawos na ta!” Of course they were rattled, it was their turf, and we had the guts to say that. Of course, we never planned to do what they thought we would do.
Game time, they got ball possession, and the “letsseewhoblinksfirst” contest started. But as planned, we didn’t move. Not a single one of us.
So they rushed, attacked our goal, took a shot, and our keeper moved to the side. Letting it in.
They were happy and celebrating, heck we even clapped them. “Nice goal!” Still smiling, we had ball possession and promptly gave it up, again they scored and the few smart ones on their team were already on our plans.
In the sideline, our coach was already approaching the other side, for the congratulatory hand shake. We knew what he was saying, “You didn’t beat us, we let you win.”
As one, we got off the field while singing our silly hearts out, “We are the champions!” So they beat us, but we won.
The next time we met, they brought that squad of marines for security,
Faulty officiating? No security on the field? Heck, that’s no excuse. How come we never heard these complaints before? How come they didn’t ask the CFA for security in the very first game?
How come they didn’t ask the CFA then for security during the brawls I witnessed in 1997 and 2000. Was it because nobody got sanctioned? Faulty officiating? How come they didn’t question the guy who gets to be the center referee in every single game from 8 in the morning until the last game.
You have to question how winded and how aware he is with the number of games he officiated, unless he goes by the name Clark Kent.
How come they ask these questions after the fact – people brawled in a football game.
So the CFA gave them a slap in the wrist. And they complained.
Damn.
Here’s an unsolicited advice for the CebuFA, if they want to avoid these things. Give them what they deserve. Sure there is an automatic one game suspension for every red card, but that’s not enough. For every red card, each player must be made to pay 1000 before he gets to play again, the coach must pay P2000 and the owner P3000.
And as further punishment, the player must be made to trim the grass on the field.
Make the sanctions so tough, they’d think twice about hitting another player. I’ve been on the field a few times, I’ve been roughed up a few times, we’ve been a victim of too many damn faulty officiating, but we never brawled.
I learned a long time ago, that getting even, (In football I mean, matters of the heart are something else) is not the best option.
There is no excuse for fighting. You don’t beat up the stupid prick who cuts you in traffic right? You can only curse and hope he gets caught by enforcers, because if you give him the beating he deserves, you get jailed.
Why then would you fight just because the ref didn’t call the foul?
One tournament and we all hear these grumbles and all. The ref was wrong, they should have provided security during the match, this player should have been red carded, blah..blah..blah.
You hear too many things, but never this “I’m sorry, what I did was wrong, I accept the sanction and I regret my actions.”
Simple, profound and effective.
Instead, what we have are “itstheirfault” stories.
They brawled and got suspended for one tournament, which for me is a slap in the wrist. They’re lucky that they got away with it. Methinks the sanction should have been longer, they should have been banned for a year at least from any form of football.
So they blamed faulty officiating for the brawl. The most stupid excuse I have ever heard.
My high school coach never had the technical know how, but he was good in a lot of things. During the half time break of one heated match against an out of towner, when we were surrounded by a squad of marines (Heck you want stories about rivalries?) we told him that we were getting beat on the field and the ref was doing nothing about it.
He told us, “So? That’s not an excuse to fight back. Just play football, if you get roughed up, and the foul isn’t called, let me do the shouting. It’s my job, if you retaliate, you’re off the team.”
We played meekly and lost miserably, but I think we came out the better players. A few years after that game, we became friends with that team and they apologized for their misdeeds. “Pasensya na bay, kabalo man gud mi na pabor sa amo ang ref.”
A year before that, we were facing the same team in the provincial finals in their own turf, and we had to beat them twice. The matches were so heated two of our guys were sent to the hospital.
It was the start of an ugly rivalry that lasted for five years and saw a single player getting rushed to the hospital every time we met.
The first game we won, 2-0, but it was tough, and we are talking about secondary school football! When our striker scored the second goal, a split second later he was tackled viciously and broke his shin in two places. No foul. Guy was rushed to the hospital by our teachers (we had no medics then)
That afternoon, (the second game was the next day) another striker, who was drinking water off a pump well (I came from the province remember) got beaten up by four guys using pipes and baseball bats. Second guy we rushed to the hospital.
The night before the finals, we told our coach, we won’t show up. They are playing dirty. We have no security. (It was a DECS now DepEd meet)
Our coach would have none of that. Do you want them to beat us before we face them? Let us show them that they can not beat us. Let’s show up tomorrow, but I have a plan…
So we talked about his plan and we all agreed it was better.
Day of the final, we showed up, warmed up and limbered. All the while, eyeing the other team, showing that they didn’t scare us. Heck one guy even overdid it, shouting, “Mao na ni, bawos na ta!” Of course they were rattled, it was their turf, and we had the guts to say that. Of course, we never planned to do what they thought we would do.
Game time, they got ball possession, and the “letsseewhoblinksfirst” contest started. But as planned, we didn’t move. Not a single one of us.
So they rushed, attacked our goal, took a shot, and our keeper moved to the side. Letting it in.
They were happy and celebrating, heck we even clapped them. “Nice goal!” Still smiling, we had ball possession and promptly gave it up, again they scored and the few smart ones on their team were already on our plans.
In the sideline, our coach was already approaching the other side, for the congratulatory hand shake. We knew what he was saying, “You didn’t beat us, we let you win.”
As one, we got off the field while singing our silly hearts out, “We are the champions!” So they beat us, but we won.
The next time we met, they brought that squad of marines for security,
Faulty officiating? No security on the field? Heck, that’s no excuse. How come we never heard these complaints before? How come they didn’t ask the CFA for security in the very first game?
How come they didn’t ask the CFA then for security during the brawls I witnessed in 1997 and 2000. Was it because nobody got sanctioned? Faulty officiating? How come they didn’t question the guy who gets to be the center referee in every single game from 8 in the morning until the last game.
You have to question how winded and how aware he is with the number of games he officiated, unless he goes by the name Clark Kent.
How come they ask these questions after the fact – people brawled in a football game.
So the CFA gave them a slap in the wrist. And they complained.
Damn.
Here’s an unsolicited advice for the CebuFA, if they want to avoid these things. Give them what they deserve. Sure there is an automatic one game suspension for every red card, but that’s not enough. For every red card, each player must be made to pay 1000 before he gets to play again, the coach must pay P2000 and the owner P3000.
And as further punishment, the player must be made to trim the grass on the field.
Make the sanctions so tough, they’d think twice about hitting another player. I’ve been on the field a few times, I’ve been roughed up a few times, we’ve been a victim of too many damn faulty officiating, but we never brawled.
I learned a long time ago, that getting even, (In football I mean, matters of the heart are something else) is not the best option.
There is no excuse for fighting. You don’t beat up the stupid prick who cuts you in traffic right? You can only curse and hope he gets caught by enforcers, because if you give him the beating he deserves, you get jailed.
Why then would you fight just because the ref didn’t call the foul?
(Uh-oh, drunk mike's got internet connection at home)
THE most influential person in the first two millenniums – Karl Marx - never played the game, but I guess, Marxism is not limited to ideology and can be extended to the field.
Dialectics. One of Marxism’s strongest point is Dialectics. They don’t buy the usual cause and effect concept – the cause is sometimes the effect and the effect the cause.
In every game, every call by the referee is viewed differently -– it all depends on which team you are playing for or supporting.
“Stupid ref, I didn’t hit him, his knee hit my foot, or he headbutted my foot! Why’d you sent him off for, it was a dive? He’s play-acting! “(Medical staff comes in to retrieve player and dismembered foot and rushes him to emergency ward)
Conflicts. For the old Marxists, the inevitable conflict with the haves and the have nots will lead to only one action and solution -– a revolution resulting to a new status quo. A society which favors the rich will eventually be overthrown by the poor.
Ever seen a game hounded by inept or biased officiating? When the officials blatantly favor one team? When one striker goes down after receiving a hard tackle from behind (an automatic offense that carries a red card) and the player who got tackled gets called for a foul?
Believe me, a revolution is the least of that referee’s worry -– saving one’s skin will be. Laugh, but this happened in Cebu, and luckily, the referee is still alive to account for his ineptitude.
Alienation. Because of the production line and the specialization of labor, the worker is alienated from his product. When, then, it took one man a few weeks to build a car, now it takes hundreds to build one in a few minutes.
Though Henry Ford’s innovation may have been concentrated on the production line, it has also, accidentally given birth to another sociological theory, Fordism and Post Fordism.
Then, one man is involved in making the product, he can proudly say that that car is the fruit of my labor. Now, a man says to his friend, if you look down the chassis, at a 30-degree angle, look to the left and squint, I proudly drove that screw in.
Obviously, the end product in football is winning, a player is involved in everything -- defense and offense, but try “accidentally” scoring a goal on your own end, and you’ll know the meaning of alienation.
Branches. Marxism is a fractured bunch. There is the Old or Classical Marxism, Neo Marxism, Post Neo Marxism, Feminist Marxism and the like. Heck, there are even talks of the difference between Karl Marx the young and Karl Marx the old.
In football, there are the old guards and the young upstarts.
However, unlike Marxism where your identity is based in what you believe in, in football, the difference between Young and Old is based literally on how old and young you are.
Then there’s another aspect, football has branched into other variants. There is indoor football or futsal -- which one organizer played outdoors -- beach soccer, seven-a-side football and my favorite – mixed football. Contact sport with women with distinct guidelines, awards and penalties. (The other contact sport, unfortunately doesn’t have such, but it also involves scoring)
Ropes. Marxists believe that the greedy capitalists will eventually buy the materials for, weave and bid for the very rope with which they will hang their necks.
In football, the cheaters, the prima donnas who flaunt the rules and the people who think they are special, too special – will eventually hang their very own necks.
Most important of all, Marxists believe in empowering the powerless, and of playing fair, regardless of who and what your are.
So, let’s play fair shall we?
*The author is a former student of Marxism, (the marching kind of the streets, not the armed kind of the jungle) who has since forgotten the finer points of Marxism and the like. Any mistake in the interpretation of Marx’s theory should be considered as one –- a mistake and should not be misconstrued as a propaganda for the rejectionists (or the reaffirmists even, choose your side). (Come on, a story about football and Marxism and you’re taking it seriously)
THE most influential person in the first two millenniums – Karl Marx - never played the game, but I guess, Marxism is not limited to ideology and can be extended to the field.
Dialectics. One of Marxism’s strongest point is Dialectics. They don’t buy the usual cause and effect concept – the cause is sometimes the effect and the effect the cause.
In every game, every call by the referee is viewed differently -– it all depends on which team you are playing for or supporting.
“Stupid ref, I didn’t hit him, his knee hit my foot, or he headbutted my foot! Why’d you sent him off for, it was a dive? He’s play-acting! “(Medical staff comes in to retrieve player and dismembered foot and rushes him to emergency ward)
Conflicts. For the old Marxists, the inevitable conflict with the haves and the have nots will lead to only one action and solution -– a revolution resulting to a new status quo. A society which favors the rich will eventually be overthrown by the poor.
Ever seen a game hounded by inept or biased officiating? When the officials blatantly favor one team? When one striker goes down after receiving a hard tackle from behind (an automatic offense that carries a red card) and the player who got tackled gets called for a foul?
Believe me, a revolution is the least of that referee’s worry -– saving one’s skin will be. Laugh, but this happened in Cebu, and luckily, the referee is still alive to account for his ineptitude.
Alienation. Because of the production line and the specialization of labor, the worker is alienated from his product. When, then, it took one man a few weeks to build a car, now it takes hundreds to build one in a few minutes.
Though Henry Ford’s innovation may have been concentrated on the production line, it has also, accidentally given birth to another sociological theory, Fordism and Post Fordism.
Then, one man is involved in making the product, he can proudly say that that car is the fruit of my labor. Now, a man says to his friend, if you look down the chassis, at a 30-degree angle, look to the left and squint, I proudly drove that screw in.
Obviously, the end product in football is winning, a player is involved in everything -- defense and offense, but try “accidentally” scoring a goal on your own end, and you’ll know the meaning of alienation.
Branches. Marxism is a fractured bunch. There is the Old or Classical Marxism, Neo Marxism, Post Neo Marxism, Feminist Marxism and the like. Heck, there are even talks of the difference between Karl Marx the young and Karl Marx the old.
In football, there are the old guards and the young upstarts.
However, unlike Marxism where your identity is based in what you believe in, in football, the difference between Young and Old is based literally on how old and young you are.
Then there’s another aspect, football has branched into other variants. There is indoor football or futsal -- which one organizer played outdoors -- beach soccer, seven-a-side football and my favorite – mixed football. Contact sport with women with distinct guidelines, awards and penalties. (The other contact sport, unfortunately doesn’t have such, but it also involves scoring)
Ropes. Marxists believe that the greedy capitalists will eventually buy the materials for, weave and bid for the very rope with which they will hang their necks.
In football, the cheaters, the prima donnas who flaunt the rules and the people who think they are special, too special – will eventually hang their very own necks.
Most important of all, Marxists believe in empowering the powerless, and of playing fair, regardless of who and what your are.
So, let’s play fair shall we?
*The author is a former student of Marxism, (the marching kind of the streets, not the armed kind of the jungle) who has since forgotten the finer points of Marxism and the like. Any mistake in the interpretation of Marx’s theory should be considered as one –- a mistake and should not be misconstrued as a propaganda for the rejectionists (or the reaffirmists even, choose your side). (Come on, a story about football and Marxism and you’re taking it seriously)
from philfootball.info (http://www.philfootball.info/news1.html)
March 5, 2006 -- Philippines Men’s National Team Head Coach Aris Caslib has named 31 players to the training camp roster that will begin workouts March 6 at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City, Metro Manila.
Fourteen players who where on the U-23 Men’s National Team roster that played in the SEA Games recently have been called into the camp, including striker Phil Younghusband, who scored two goals in the tournament.
Philippines’ striker Freddy Gonzalez returns to the fold after missing Tiger Cup 2004 that was co-hosted by Malaysia & Vietnam. Gonzalez, who had one goal in four games played in Tiger Cup 2002, became the first player in MNT history to play professionally in Vietnam when he signed for Dong An Bank of the V-League last 2003.
Caslib has called four goalkeepers into camp, including Eduard Sacapaño who played in the P. F. F. Men's Open National Finals 2006 for NCR. Michael Casas, Jonas Valenzuela and Ref Cuaresma round out the four.
The Philippines was drawn into Group A for the 2006 AFC Challenge Cup along with India, Chinese Taipei, and Afghanistan.
sponsors
ROSTER BY POSITION
Goalkeepers (4) - Michael Casas (San Beda College), Jonas Valenzuela (University of Santo Tomas), Ref Cuaresma (Navy FC), Eduard Sacapaño (Army FC)
Defenders (9) - Aly Borromeo (Kaya FC), Mark Villon (Mendiola FC), Bervic Italia (Iloilo FA), Gerard Orcullo (San Beda College), Jesan Candolesa (Mendiola FC), Franco Bambico (University of the Philippines), Anton del Rosario (Kaya FC), Wilson De La Cruz (Army FC), Andrew Santiago (University of the Philippines)
Midfielders (13) - Jeffrey Liman (San Beda College), James Younghusband (Chelsea FC), Rolly Perez (University of the East), Anton Gonzales (University of the Philippines), Roel Gener (Army FC), Emelio Caligdong (Air Force FC), Jeremias Jiao (Mendiola FC), Marjo Allado (University of Santo Tomas), Peter Jaugan (University of Mindanao), Leigh James Gunn (n/a), Winnie Subere (Air Force FC), Alvin Valeroso (University of the East), Alfie Caminos (Navy FC)
Strikers (5) - Freddy Gonzalez (Kaya FC), Ian Araneta (Air Force FC),Phil Younghusband (Chelsea FC), Vaughn Mellendrez (Mendiola FC), Luis Brillantes (Army FC)
March 5, 2006 -- Philippines Men’s National Team Head Coach Aris Caslib has named 31 players to the training camp roster that will begin workouts March 6 at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City, Metro Manila.
Fourteen players who where on the U-23 Men’s National Team roster that played in the SEA Games recently have been called into the camp, including striker Phil Younghusband, who scored two goals in the tournament.
Philippines’ striker Freddy Gonzalez returns to the fold after missing Tiger Cup 2004 that was co-hosted by Malaysia & Vietnam. Gonzalez, who had one goal in four games played in Tiger Cup 2002, became the first player in MNT history to play professionally in Vietnam when he signed for Dong An Bank of the V-League last 2003.
Caslib has called four goalkeepers into camp, including Eduard Sacapaño who played in the P. F. F. Men's Open National Finals 2006 for NCR. Michael Casas, Jonas Valenzuela and Ref Cuaresma round out the four.
The Philippines was drawn into Group A for the 2006 AFC Challenge Cup along with India, Chinese Taipei, and Afghanistan.
sponsors
ROSTER BY POSITION
Goalkeepers (4) - Michael Casas (San Beda College), Jonas Valenzuela (University of Santo Tomas), Ref Cuaresma (Navy FC), Eduard Sacapaño (Army FC)
Defenders (9) - Aly Borromeo (Kaya FC), Mark Villon (Mendiola FC), Bervic Italia (Iloilo FA), Gerard Orcullo (San Beda College), Jesan Candolesa (Mendiola FC), Franco Bambico (University of the Philippines), Anton del Rosario (Kaya FC), Wilson De La Cruz (Army FC), Andrew Santiago (University of the Philippines)
Midfielders (13) - Jeffrey Liman (San Beda College), James Younghusband (Chelsea FC), Rolly Perez (University of the East), Anton Gonzales (University of the Philippines), Roel Gener (Army FC), Emelio Caligdong (Air Force FC), Jeremias Jiao (Mendiola FC), Marjo Allado (University of Santo Tomas), Peter Jaugan (University of Mindanao), Leigh James Gunn (n/a), Winnie Subere (Air Force FC), Alvin Valeroso (University of the East), Alfie Caminos (Navy FC)
Strikers (5) - Freddy Gonzalez (Kaya FC), Ian Araneta (Air Force FC),Phil Younghusband (Chelsea FC), Vaughn Mellendrez (Mendiola FC), Luis Brillantes (Army FC)
THIS year, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) will receive from various institutions P38,402,696 million.
However, at the end of the year, PFF will still be in the red by some P500,000 as it will spend more than what it will get.
Just like in the previous year, the PFF will get the bulk of the amount from Fifa, football’s world governing body, while the rest will come from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Asean Football Federation (AFF).
Fifa will dole out P14,248,000 , which is part of its assistance to developing countries of $1 million spread over four years, while AFC will hand P3,705,210 and AFF will give P6,500,000. The PFF will also get P5,592,200 from local sources.
Meeting
The PFF budget was handed out to the members of the board of governors, who met during their annual meeting in Iloilo City last month.
Cebu Football Association president Jonathan Maximo, who sits in the board, e-mailed a copy of the PFF budget to Sun.Star Cebu.
Of the total amount, some P20,000,000 will be spent for both local and international competitions with P8,284,290 allocated for local tournaments.
“The local tournaments are the PFF regional and national tournaments. It doesn’t involve the local competitions of the different football associations,” Maximo said.
This year, the PFF has already staged the national tournament for the Men’s Open and is set to hold a regionals for the Men’s Under-17, Under-19 and the Women’s Open.
The PFF will also hold a national tournament for the Men’s Under-19, Women’s U-19 and Women’s Open.
There will be no national tournament for the Men’s Under-17 and no regional for the Women’s U-19.
The PFF has also set aside P5,019,700 for administration, P3,635,500 for development courses, P3,623,592 for grassroots development, P1,248,000 for centers, P649,720 for the board of governors meeting and congress and P240,000 for media. It also allocated P3,881,000 for expenses listed only as “others .”
Meanwhile Maximo has proposed to make the PFF congress a working one with only one representative per football association instead of the usual two.
“Its too expensive because they shoulder everything, yet all they do is they just listen to reports. They don’t get to talk about football programs. I suggested to make it into a working one, to make it more productive,” he said.
However, at the end of the year, PFF will still be in the red by some P500,000 as it will spend more than what it will get.
Just like in the previous year, the PFF will get the bulk of the amount from Fifa, football’s world governing body, while the rest will come from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Asean Football Federation (AFF).
Fifa will dole out P14,248,000 , which is part of its assistance to developing countries of $1 million spread over four years, while AFC will hand P3,705,210 and AFF will give P6,500,000. The PFF will also get P5,592,200 from local sources.
Meeting
The PFF budget was handed out to the members of the board of governors, who met during their annual meeting in Iloilo City last month.
Cebu Football Association president Jonathan Maximo, who sits in the board, e-mailed a copy of the PFF budget to Sun.Star Cebu.
Of the total amount, some P20,000,000 will be spent for both local and international competitions with P8,284,290 allocated for local tournaments.
“The local tournaments are the PFF regional and national tournaments. It doesn’t involve the local competitions of the different football associations,” Maximo said.
This year, the PFF has already staged the national tournament for the Men’s Open and is set to hold a regionals for the Men’s Under-17, Under-19 and the Women’s Open.
The PFF will also hold a national tournament for the Men’s Under-19, Women’s U-19 and Women’s Open.
There will be no national tournament for the Men’s Under-17 and no regional for the Women’s U-19.
The PFF has also set aside P5,019,700 for administration, P3,635,500 for development courses, P3,623,592 for grassroots development, P1,248,000 for centers, P649,720 for the board of governors meeting and congress and P240,000 for media. It also allocated P3,881,000 for expenses listed only as “others .”
Meanwhile Maximo has proposed to make the PFF congress a working one with only one representative per football association instead of the usual two.
“Its too expensive because they shoulder everything, yet all they do is they just listen to reports. They don’t get to talk about football programs. I suggested to make it into a working one, to make it more productive,” he said.
Starting today, Cebu football is one person short, one important (though she wouldn’t call herself that way) cog short – and no, it isn’t about another prima donna.
Sona Mae Povadora -- sports and football beat reporter of the Freeman – is leaving Cebu and The Freeman, to spread her wings on a broader horizon.
An STC graduate, a Freeman intern, correspondent and staff reporter, Sona is a regular fixture in football tournaments (among others).
Despite living in the far side of the city (try Talisay), she manages to be at the USC-TC field (when the matches were still held there) first – a lesson perhaps for those who complain too much of venues that are too far.
When she first started covering football, she couldn’t tell an offside trap from the Venus Fly trap, yet, she has learned to love football (and some of the players have fallen in love with her.)
She asks, “Aaay (that is her trademark), walay football karun? (else I might think, it’s my company she misses, sorry B.)
It is but fitting, that the last report she filed for The freeman, is about football, a sport, she couldn’t understand at first (watching 22 guys chase a ball for 90 minutes gets kind of boring) but has learned to love.
Starting today, Cebu football is one girl short.
Her name is Sona.
Good luck Son.
WHAT was supposed to be a heated match turned into a one-way affair as Paref-Springdale routed a surprisingly limp Don Bosco Technological Center, 3-0, in the semifinal round of the Red Ribbon Under-16 tournament at the San Roque Parish football ground.
The other semifinal also offered a surprise, as Hiroshi FC had to dig deep as it trailed, 0-1, early before coming up with a 2-1 win against a determined Don Bosco Boys' Home team.
Hiroshi and Springdale will fight for the Red Ribbon title on March 11 still at San Roque.
The first half of the DBTC-Springdale game went as expected as both teams fought to a scoreless draw.
However, it was a different story in the second half.
Miguel Arriola banged the first goal to an empty net after a cross got past the keeper, just seconds later, Bran Go headed in Karl ARcenas free kick for a 2-0 lead, with only four minutes removed in the second half.
DBTC lost all semblance of control of the match and the rare chance it had in the offensive end was stopped by Paref keeper Paolo Pascual.
Evanjames Mendoza, who trails DBTC's Francis Buot in the Best Striker tally, banged in the final goal in the 69th from close range.
Still, Paref coach Mario Ceniza didn't think that their easy win made them favorites to win the title.
"Kaluy-an sa ginuo, nakalusot," Ceniza said. "We'll see (who will be the champions) after the tournament is over."
An overconfident Hiroshi FC also trailed 0-1 in the first half of their match. Hiroshi could have taken the lead early but a poorly taken penalty shot sailed high. DBBH's Jestoni Pialago made them pay by banging in the first goal in the 17th.
However the lead didn't last long after Paul Diao scored the equalizer in the 22nd while Christian Vasquez struck in the 28th for the go-ahead goal.
DBBH, which lost to Hiroshi 2-0 in the elimination round, tried to rally in the second half and manage a few scares but their lack of finishing prevented them from getting the equalizer as Hiroshi held on.
The other semifinal also offered a surprise, as Hiroshi FC had to dig deep as it trailed, 0-1, early before coming up with a 2-1 win against a determined Don Bosco Boys' Home team.
Hiroshi and Springdale will fight for the Red Ribbon title on March 11 still at San Roque.
The first half of the DBTC-Springdale game went as expected as both teams fought to a scoreless draw.
However, it was a different story in the second half.
Miguel Arriola banged the first goal to an empty net after a cross got past the keeper, just seconds later, Bran Go headed in Karl ARcenas free kick for a 2-0 lead, with only four minutes removed in the second half.
DBTC lost all semblance of control of the match and the rare chance it had in the offensive end was stopped by Paref keeper Paolo Pascual.
Evanjames Mendoza, who trails DBTC's Francis Buot in the Best Striker tally, banged in the final goal in the 69th from close range.
Still, Paref coach Mario Ceniza didn't think that their easy win made them favorites to win the title.
"Kaluy-an sa ginuo, nakalusot," Ceniza said. "We'll see (who will be the champions) after the tournament is over."
An overconfident Hiroshi FC also trailed 0-1 in the first half of their match. Hiroshi could have taken the lead early but a poorly taken penalty shot sailed high. DBBH's Jestoni Pialago made them pay by banging in the first goal in the 17th.
However the lead didn't last long after Paul Diao scored the equalizer in the 22nd while Christian Vasquez struck in the 28th for the go-ahead goal.
DBBH, which lost to Hiroshi 2-0 in the elimination round, tried to rally in the second half and manage a few scares but their lack of finishing prevented them from getting the equalizer as Hiroshi held on.
(please ask permission from author before you copy and paste this entry)
International Affiliates
FIFA 14,248,000.00
AFC 3,705,210.00
AFF 6,500,000.00
Local Sources
Corporations 5,592,200.00
Government or Semi 1,650,000.00
Private Individuals 910,000.00
Private Institutions 1,500,000.00
Others 4,297,206.00
Total Inflows 38,402,616.00
Outflows
Local Competitions 8,284,290.00 *(that a lot of moolah)
Administration 5,019,700.00 *(Now thats A lof of moolah for salaries)
International Competition 12,322,975.00
Development Courses 3,635,500.00 *(development what?)
Grassroots Devt Program 3,623,592.00 *(we have a grassroots program eh?)
Centers 1,248,000.00 *(centers?)
Media 240,000.00 *(ding! ding! ding!, media payola)
BOG & Congress 649,720.00
Others 3,881,000.00 *(that's a lot of others)
*question, where is the P20,000 financial aid to each FA, listed?
Total Outflows 38,904,777.00
note: Figures quoted are in Phil Peso (PhP)
source: PFF Manual distributed during PFF BOG
last Feb 25-26, 2006 in Iloilo City
After the end of the year, the PFF will be in the red by some P500,000, can they just not cut back on the administrative expenses to break even?
International Affiliates
FIFA 14,248,000.00
AFC 3,705,210.00
AFF 6,500,000.00
Local Sources
Corporations 5,592,200.00
Government or Semi 1,650,000.00
Private Individuals 910,000.00
Private Institutions 1,500,000.00
Others 4,297,206.00
Total Inflows 38,402,616.00
Outflows
Local Competitions 8,284,290.00 *(that a lot of moolah)
Administration 5,019,700.00 *(Now thats A lof of moolah for salaries)
International Competition 12,322,975.00
Development Courses 3,635,500.00 *(development what?)
Grassroots Devt Program 3,623,592.00 *(we have a grassroots program eh?)
Centers 1,248,000.00 *(centers?)
Media 240,000.00 *(ding! ding! ding!, media payola)
BOG & Congress 649,720.00
Others 3,881,000.00 *(that's a lot of others)
*question, where is the P20,000 financial aid to each FA, listed?
Total Outflows 38,904,777.00
note: Figures quoted are in Phil Peso (PhP)
source: PFF Manual distributed during PFF BOG
last Feb 25-26, 2006 in Iloilo City
After the end of the year, the PFF will be in the red by some P500,000, can they just not cut back on the administrative expenses to break even?
Tomorrow's semifinal round of the Red Ribbon Under-16 tournament promises to be a slam-bang affair after age groups powerhouses and fierce rivals -- Paref Springdale and Don Bosco Technological Center -- are to meet each other at the San Roque Parish football field.
The other semifinal match up is between Don Bosco Boys Home and Hiroshi FC.
Hiroshi - which has been struck by one controversy after the other this year — has earlier defeated DBBH, 2-0, in the elimination round.
In paper, DBTC is the favored team to beat, having won its two elimination games easily: 7-0, against FC Inter Cebu and 7-1; against Blessed John XXIII Seminary.
Best striker
On the other hand, though it also routed its opponents in its first two matches -- the Springdale offense didn’t score as much as DBTC, defeating Cebu Inmaculada Concepcion-Mandaue, 7-0, and San Roque FC, 4-0.
Springdale defense, which hasn’t conceded a goal yet in the Red Ribbon, will have to play catch-up with DBTC scoring Machine, Bernard Francis Buot, who leads the Best Striker award with seven goals -- including four in their last win.
Springdale Evanjames Mendoza is second with four goals.
Meanwhile, Hiroshi will go for a repeat of its elimination round win as it faces DBBH. The young Hiroshi team will try to prove that their team’s participation in the tournament is well deserved.
Earlier, the Hiroshi management decided not to join any Cebu Football Association-sanctioned match after its senior team got prevented to play in the regional finals.
The decision came after the CebuFA suspended five Hiroshi players after figuring in another brawl early this year.
Still, the seniors again figured in the limelight after it was banned from practicing at the Cebu City Sports Center by CCSC manager Ricky Ballesteros.
The other semifinal match up is between Don Bosco Boys Home and Hiroshi FC.
Hiroshi - which has been struck by one controversy after the other this year — has earlier defeated DBBH, 2-0, in the elimination round.
In paper, DBTC is the favored team to beat, having won its two elimination games easily: 7-0, against FC Inter Cebu and 7-1; against Blessed John XXIII Seminary.
Best striker
On the other hand, though it also routed its opponents in its first two matches -- the Springdale offense didn’t score as much as DBTC, defeating Cebu Inmaculada Concepcion-Mandaue, 7-0, and San Roque FC, 4-0.
Springdale defense, which hasn’t conceded a goal yet in the Red Ribbon, will have to play catch-up with DBTC scoring Machine, Bernard Francis Buot, who leads the Best Striker award with seven goals -- including four in their last win.
Springdale Evanjames Mendoza is second with four goals.
Meanwhile, Hiroshi will go for a repeat of its elimination round win as it faces DBBH. The young Hiroshi team will try to prove that their team’s participation in the tournament is well deserved.
Earlier, the Hiroshi management decided not to join any Cebu Football Association-sanctioned match after its senior team got prevented to play in the regional finals.
The decision came after the CebuFA suspended five Hiroshi players after figuring in another brawl early this year.
Still, the seniors again figured in the limelight after it was banned from practicing at the Cebu City Sports Center by CCSC manager Ricky Ballesteros.
Football players belonging to the Hiroshi Football Club are no longer allowed to practice at the Cebu City Sports Center football field.
The ban, according to CCSC manager rickky Ballesteros, took effect last Tuesday after he issued a memo prohibitng the team from using the football field any time o the day.
Before, the team was allowed to practice inside the facility until 4 p.m.
However, its players wantonly break CCSC rules and continue to practice psat the designated hours, when joggers, sprinters and rehab patients are already using the tracks.
Ballesteros said he is doing this to protect their patrons, who have been complaining about being hit by soccer balls.
"we are suspending them from using the field because despite warnings, they still continue practicing at hours not designated and daghan na kaayong nadisgrasya.
Hiroshi added that most of those who get hit are udergoing rehabilitation.
Hiroshi FC has at least 120 players competing different age groups in football, and regulary practice at the center for free since most of them are residents of Sambag 1 or are students at the Abellana National High School.
Hiroshi FC, owned by Japanese Harou Iwanaga, is planning to appeal the ban to the CCSC board.
Ballesteros said that the ban also extends to batted sports.
(Courtesy of Cebu Daily News, Marian Baring)
The ban, according to CCSC manager rickky Ballesteros, took effect last Tuesday after he issued a memo prohibitng the team from using the football field any time o the day.
Before, the team was allowed to practice inside the facility until 4 p.m.
However, its players wantonly break CCSC rules and continue to practice psat the designated hours, when joggers, sprinters and rehab patients are already using the tracks.
Ballesteros said he is doing this to protect their patrons, who have been complaining about being hit by soccer balls.
"we are suspending them from using the field because despite warnings, they still continue practicing at hours not designated and daghan na kaayong nadisgrasya.
Hiroshi added that most of those who get hit are udergoing rehabilitation.
Hiroshi FC has at least 120 players competing different age groups in football, and regulary practice at the center for free since most of them are residents of Sambag 1 or are students at the Abellana National High School.
Hiroshi FC, owned by Japanese Harou Iwanaga, is planning to appeal the ban to the CCSC board.
Ballesteros said that the ban also extends to batted sports.
(Courtesy of Cebu Daily News, Marian Baring)
Arnie Pasinabo’s bagging the coveted Most Valuable Player award in the just concluded Philippine Football Federation National Men’s Open championship didn’t come as a surprise to his former coach, Mario Ceniza.
“When he was still with us, we knew he was destined for greatness,” said Ceniza, who coached Pasinabo and other gifted youngsters in the vaunted Carmen National School team together with football guru Graeme Mackinnon.
Pasinabo got the MVP award after leading Bacolod City to a tough 2-1 win over the favored two-time defending champion National Capitol Region -- which was bannered by 12 Ilonggos -- in the championship match.
Aside from Pasinabo, other Bacolod players who got individual awards were Jayson Panhay (best midfielder), Joel Ballo-allo (best defender) and Archie Bayquin (best goalkeeper). NCR’s Ian Araneta, who is from Iloilo, prevented a sweep by taking the best striker award.
In the tough Iloilo-NCR match in the elimination round, Araneta scored the only goal against his hometeam -- which was coached by his father.
The 19-year-old Pasinabo, who also suited up for the country in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (Seag), also blasted the game-winner in the second half, to avenge their team’s loss to NCR last year, 5-4 on a shoot-out.
“He (Pasinabo) is very quick, he has great skills and he has an excellent left foot. He reads the game very well,” said Ceniza.
Ceniza, who also played for the national champion M. Lhuillier in 1988 also in Iloilo, also feels very proud of Pasinabo’s achievement.
“He’s been invited to play in Manila numerous times, but he always declines,” he said.
On the other hand, Mackinnon said of Pasinabo, “He’s a very conscientious player and he gives 100 percent in all his practices.”
Mackinnon and Ceniza coached Pasinabo and the rest of the Carmen boys to numerous local and national titles.
However, in one of its biggest games, the Carmen boys came up short, losing the Coke-Go-For-Goal National Under-16 finals to Iloilo City, in Iloilo.
According to some observers, Pasinabo wasn’t playing well in the finals and seemed distracted.
“I am very excited for him. He has had a few demons from the past to exorcise and I am sure his performances in the Seag and now this MVP in the Nationals will go a long way in doing that.”
In one memorable Seag move, Pasinabo received the ball inside the RP team penalty box and dribbled past the opposing team all the way to the other goal -- missing his shot just by a few feet.
“When he was still with us, we knew he was destined for greatness,” said Ceniza, who coached Pasinabo and other gifted youngsters in the vaunted Carmen National School team together with football guru Graeme Mackinnon.
Pasinabo got the MVP award after leading Bacolod City to a tough 2-1 win over the favored two-time defending champion National Capitol Region -- which was bannered by 12 Ilonggos -- in the championship match.
Aside from Pasinabo, other Bacolod players who got individual awards were Jayson Panhay (best midfielder), Joel Ballo-allo (best defender) and Archie Bayquin (best goalkeeper). NCR’s Ian Araneta, who is from Iloilo, prevented a sweep by taking the best striker award.
In the tough Iloilo-NCR match in the elimination round, Araneta scored the only goal against his hometeam -- which was coached by his father.
The 19-year-old Pasinabo, who also suited up for the country in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (Seag), also blasted the game-winner in the second half, to avenge their team’s loss to NCR last year, 5-4 on a shoot-out.
“He (Pasinabo) is very quick, he has great skills and he has an excellent left foot. He reads the game very well,” said Ceniza.
Ceniza, who also played for the national champion M. Lhuillier in 1988 also in Iloilo, also feels very proud of Pasinabo’s achievement.
“He’s been invited to play in Manila numerous times, but he always declines,” he said.
On the other hand, Mackinnon said of Pasinabo, “He’s a very conscientious player and he gives 100 percent in all his practices.”
Mackinnon and Ceniza coached Pasinabo and the rest of the Carmen boys to numerous local and national titles.
However, in one of its biggest games, the Carmen boys came up short, losing the Coke-Go-For-Goal National Under-16 finals to Iloilo City, in Iloilo.
According to some observers, Pasinabo wasn’t playing well in the finals and seemed distracted.
“I am very excited for him. He has had a few demons from the past to exorcise and I am sure his performances in the Seag and now this MVP in the Nationals will go a long way in doing that.”
In one memorable Seag move, Pasinabo received the ball inside the RP team penalty box and dribbled past the opposing team all the way to the other goal -- missing his shot just by a few feet.
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