Cebu’s football community is expected to have a busier year with the opening last night of the first-ever Don Bosco Football League (DBFL) at the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) campus in Punta Princesa, Cebu City.
The competition features a premier Men’s open division according to DBTC and national head coach Glen Ramos. The Don Bosco Football United and the vaunted University of Cebu (UC) Nigerian lineup will spice up the opening day along with the match between Magony FC and Leylam FC in the men’s open class.
Today, the UC Webmasters and San Roque Rehab FC will see action in the first game followed by the Samba FC and Erco FC showdown still in the men’s open.
DBTC administrator Fr. Abondio Bacatan recently upgraded DBTC campus’ football field to a standard size. One way of promoting the innovation is by putting up a friendly tournament inviting some of the best football teams in Cebu, he said.
The 11-a-side tournament will last until March and will also feature women’s open, under 17, 13 and 12. The tournament will adopt a league-type format where the team with most wins walks away with the title.
Ramos said that they scheduled the matches at night to avoid schedule conflict with the ongoing 16th Aboitiz Football Cup where most DBTC teams are competing.
The men’s open has 12 teams while the women’s open has four squads.
Ramos said that if plans will push through, winning teams will earn slots to a tournament organized by PHL Azkals team captain Chieffy Caligdong in Iloilo this June. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL