Red Ribbon Football: Paref-Springdale starts title defense

Defending champion Paref-Springdale starts its title defense as the Red Ribbon U-16 Cup kicks off today at the San Roque field in Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

Paref-Springdale takes on Colegio dela Inmaculada-Mandaue at 12:30 p.m.

On the other hand, Abellana National School of coch Francis Ramirez, which is now Hiroshi FC, confirmed its participation after its management withdrew its senior teams from joining in any CebuFA sanctioned tournaments as it got upset over its decision of not sending the squad in the regional tournament which started yesterday in Dumaguete City.

Hiroshi FC, who finished third last year, will tangle opposite Don Bosco Boys Home at 2 pm. while Don Bosco Technology Center takes on FC Inter Cebu in the main game.

This CebuFA sanctioned tournament serves as a talent identification program for a Cebu team to represent in the International Children's Games in July in Bangkok Thailand.

The teams are divided into three brackets putting Springdale in group A along with CIC-Mandaue and San Roque FC with group B composed of Hiroshi FC, Don Bosco Boys Home and Bright Academy.

Group C is composed of Don Bosco Technology Center 2, Blessed John XXIII Seminary and FC Inter Cebu.

The top teams in each bracket will advance to the knock-out semi-final round as well as the second best team in the three divisions.

Special awards will be given such as MVP, best striker, best midfielder, best defender, best goalkeeper, best in juggling.