CEBU, Philippines - More than 200 teams will see action in the seventh edition of the Thirsty Cup football tournament starting tomorrow at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The three-day spectacle features 13 divisions namely the men’s open, 36-above, 40-above, boys 19, Players 6, 8 and 10 and boys and girls 12, 14 and 17.
The men’s open drew the biggest number of entries with 53 followed by the boys 17 and players 10 with 28 each, boys 12 with 26, boys 17 with 25, players 8 with 23, boys 12 with 21 and boys 14 with 13.
Abellana National School (ANS)-Pomeroy of coach Francis Ramirez is seeking back-to-back titles in the boys 17 and 19 divisions.
The ANS boys 17 squad, which won the championship of the first ever Milo Little Olympics National Finals in November last year, will be divided into two groups. It also has one entry each in the boys 19 and 14.
ANS-Pomeroy is headed to a smooth-sailing title defense in the Boys 19 class with only three opposition standing its way - Ma. Montessori School, MZED and HCA of Tubigon, Bohol.
In contrast, ANS is expected to meet strong resistance in the boys 17 with 13 teams vying for top honors including the equally-tough Don Bosco Technological Center (DBTC) and Foundation University (FU) of Dumaguete City.
In the boys 14, ANS will challenge defending champion DBTC, San Carlos City Negros Football Club, Siliman University and FU.
The University of San Carlos (USC) is back to defend its throne in the men’s open as well as San Roque Royal United in the 36-above and Hiroshi Football Club in the 40-above category. (FREEMAN NEWS)