MANILA, Philippines – An expanded version of last year’s Lotto -Titans Football Cup opens today at the Manila Polo Club with a women’s division added to the previous all men’s event won by the Titans Football Club.
Confirming their participation in this year’s event, dubbed 2009 Republic Cup, are seven men’s teams, all reinforced by Division I players, including some national players, and four women’s teams. The organizers are awaiting a possible additional men’s team and another in the women’s side.
Defending champion Titans FC, composed of La Salle alumni, leads the men’s division cast and it will be up against three tough teams composed of former Ateneo students who have formed three teams – Salcedo FC, Loyola Veterans, and Loyola Agila. Other teams confirmed are the Old School FC, Palitada King, and FC Urdaneta.
The women’s side is basically a De La Salle and University of the Philippines affair with two teams, Archers 1 and Archers 2, composed of former La Salle players, while UP is represented by Diliman FC, the current State University team ranked among the top 4 in the UAAP women’s football, and Futboleras, all UP alumni players.
All the games will be played every Saturday at the Manila Polo Club with the finals set on May 30.
“This will be a one-month tournament and we are happy with the fact that we now have a women’s division in our league, “ said tournament commissioner Vladimir Wycoco, who will be supported by tournament director Deo Marco Calumba in running the tournament organized by Pureplay, Creative Carnival and the Titans FC, and supported by Balls TV.