Southridge, Malaya rule Ceres Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Southridge collared two titles while Malaya FC completed a three-peat as they led the victors’ march in the third Ceres-La Salle Umbro Football Cup recently at Alabang Country Club.

With MVP Zach Castillano leading the way, Southridge ruled the U-7 competition even as MVP Jason Kim and his U-9 teammates made it another triumph for Southridge in their side of the competition.

Malaya, bannered by MVP Von Irlanda, reigned supreme in the U-13 age bracket to continue its winning streak in the grassroots tourney that drew 110 teams from all over Metro Manila and Northern and Southern Luzon.

Ceres-La Salle clinched its second diadem in the U-15 even as Kaya FC and Tanauan Labuyo FC topped the field in the U11 and U17, respectively.

Ala Buelo FC, a team skippered by a 61-year-old, ruled the men’s open division as Cordillera FC from Baguio took the tiara in the distaff side.

Tuguegarao FC and Luna, Isabela Futcalleros came all the way from their respective provinces to win the Plate titles in Ladies Open and U-17, respectively.

Other Plate champions were Don Bosco Makati (U-7), Nomads FC (U-9), Football Fanatics (U-11), Dream Big Philippines (U-15), and De La Salle Health Science Institute (men’s open).

Mike Atayde of Ceres-La Salle Youth Department said the turnout shows how football is growing, especially up North.

“Teams like Tuguegarao FC and Luna, Isabela Futcalleros taking a late night bus just to make it on the day of the tournament and back at the end of the day shows just how far parents and clubs are willing to go for the sake of the kid’s football development,” said Atayde.

He added that more festivals will be staged by Ceres next year.

“Football can grow in the Philippines; we just need to work closely with other football clubs, schools and the local government but everyone must be sincere and view things for the good of the many now and in the future. For the moment we will try and do our part starting next year we will have 4 Ceres-La Salle Football Cups, in March 26, June 4, September 3 and December 10, 2017,” Atayde said.