RP squad tames Cebu Selection

CEBU, Philippines - The national Under-14 squad provided inspiration to the young Cebuanos to play hard and never give up as its pulled a 2-1 victory over the gutsy Cebu Selection at the start of the 12th Aboitiz Cup football tournament yesterday at the sprawling Aboitiz Sports Field in Brgy. Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

It was just a friendly encounter but the two protagonists fought tooth-and-nail to the delight of the spectators.

The Cebu Selection broke the ice of the match courtesy of John Paulo Labajo with nine minutes gone by in the first half.

That proved to be the only bright moment of the Cebu Selection as RP Team's Luichi Clavano caught Don Bosco's goal keeper off-guard to punch in a goal at the 37th and equalize the count at 1-all.

After the halftime break, Jose Soriano knocked in another goal to give the RP team a 2-1 headway.

Even if they were down in early goings of the Cebu Football Association-organized event, the RP booters bounced back with a strong fighting spirit that deserved a big applause from everyone around.

Before the game, the Aboitiz Sports Field was formally inaugurated with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu 6th District Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes gracing the affair.

Aboitiz Group president and CEO Erramon “Moncho” Aboitiz said in his speech said that the ASF is not only a home to the Aboitiz Cup, but also as a venue to mold the young minds to be well-rounded inidividuals.

Education, according to Aboitiz, is not complete without sports.

Aboitiz also reminded the participants to “play hard, play smart and play fair.”

Cortes, for his part, said the ASF will surely boost the sports tourism of Mandaue.

“I express my gratitude to the Aboitizes for their support to the Mandauehanons.True great giants like Aboitiz don’t mind bowing their heads to reach out for us and with that, I am thankful,” Cortes said. – THE FREEMAN