Little Azkals retain Boys 14 crown
The Philippine Under 14 team, also known as the Leylam-Little Azkals, defended its Boys 14 crown with a 3-0 routing of Don Bosco in yesterday’s resumption of the 10th Thirsty Football Festival at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
Cebuano member Majordean Ebarle of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) was named the Most Valuable Player after he scored the most number of goals with six makes in the tournament.
Finding the back of the net first for the Leylam-Little Azkals was Cebuano Lawrence “Soysoy” Colina followed by Ebarle then Manila’s Mark Winhoffer.
The Leylam-Little Azkals advanced to the quarterfinals by winning all three of their elimination matches. In the quarterfinals, the national team routed CIE Lions Tacloban, 3-0, then went on to blank Tubigon FC, 2-0, in the semifinals.
Also seeing action for the team were Cebu’s Kintaro Miyagi and Vincent “Ngitz” Lovitos; Manila’s Josh Miller and Jolo Cadiz; Cagayan de Oro’s Jeremiah “JB” Borlongan and Juancho Fernandez; San Carlos City’s Mason and Shanden Vergara; and Dumaguete’s Jose Anton Yared and Floren Christian Lapas.
Head coach Oliver Colina said he is happy that the team defended its title. But he said the priority in this year’s edition of the Thirsty event is the Boys 17 title.
Colina said being able to play in the higher category will be a good exposure for the Little Azkals since they will be moving up to the Under-16 this year.
Colina will be fielding the same lineup except for Lovitos, who has opted to play for his school Don Bosco.
Also clinching the titles in their respective categories yesterday were Eagles Davao and Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC).
Eagles Davao collared the Players 8 title against CIE Tacloban via a penalty shootout, 2-1, while DBTC clinched the Players 10 title with a win against Ateneo de Cebu, 2-1.
Ruling their respective categories last Friday night were Abellana National School (ANS), San Carlos City and Hiroshi B.
ANS retained its title in the Boys 19 with a 1-0 edging of Silliman University courtesy of Tom Booth.
In the Girls 14, San Carlos City won over Ateneo de Davao in the battle between visiting teams and went home with the title.
In the 42 Above, Hiroshi B dethroned ERCO via a penalty shootout, 2-1, after the regulation match ended in a 1-all draw. Named MVP was goalkeeper Joseph Generoso, who made two saves during the championship.
The rest of the categories were still being contested as of presstime.
The event will end today after games in the Men’s and Ladies’ Open.
The Men’s Open will be a much awaited category with Philippine Azkals team captain Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong and Ian Araneta seeing action as well as three members of the Philippine Air Force Phoenix of the United Football League. They are Sgt. Jezurel Tonog, Sgt. Erwin Oro and goalkeeping coach Sgt. Jumie Tolosa.
