AFC, SAC & CFA

It’s another day (weekend) in the office for Cebu Sports. And that means another big weekend featuring the AFC, SAC and CFA. Yes, that’s right, the downside of sports is how we have to deal with all these alphabet-laced initials or organizations. But we guaranty that all these are big and valuable to Cebu Sports.

The 15th Aboitiz Football Cup comes to a close today with three championship games to be played at the Cebu City Sports Center. This is on top of the five championship games that were played yesterday at the Aboitiz Sports Field. The biggest tournament of the Cebu football calendar, the 15th Aboitiz Football Cup is the mother of all football tournaments in Cebu, featuring practically the entire Cebu Football family: from the Under 6 age group all the way to the senior citizens at the 38-above category. At yesterday’s day for age group of finals, Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) won the Players 8 title over BRIGHT Academy, 3-0. DBTC also won the Players 10 age group over Canduman, 3-1. However, DBTC bowed to Giuseppe in the Boys 12 championship game, 1-2. PAREF Springdale also stopped the DBTC juggernaut by nipping them, 3-2, in the Boys 14 finals. As we prepared this piece, the Greywolves were also playing Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) in the Boys 17 division finals, while SHS-AdC played USC for the Girls 17 title. Finals weekend resumes today in the Men’s Under 23, Men’s 38 Above and Men’s Open categories. Talk about a loaded football weekend.

But that’s not it. After all these championship games, the Cebu Football Association (CFA) also holds its first ever general assembly under the 2012-2016 CFA Board. This takes place tonight at the Oakridge Pavilion. In a fitting finish to the football calendar’s biggest event, some 80 plus ballclubs are expected to troop to the general assembly in an evening of unity, fun and fellowship. Special guests include Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Nonong Araneta and Azkals Team Manager Dan Palami. Guest of honor is Tony Moraza of the Aboitiz Group Foundation. Wasn’t it only yesterday when we kicked of the 15th Aboitiz Football Cup under cloudy skies and a drizzle? Wasn’t it only yesterday when the Azkals graced the opening ceremonies then later in the week play at “Face Off: Azkals vs. Lions?” Wow! The general assembly thus comes at the right time; it’s time to somehow end the first calendar year of the CFA Board. Over 200 guests will show up tonight to listen to among other things the President’s Report, financial report, and also witness the oath taking of the member clubs of the CFA. We might even get to see or discover the off-field talents of the CFA member clubs as they jam with football player (and rocker) Tenggoy Colmenares who’s bringing in a band for the affair. That’s another wow.

Then we bring in the SAC (the Sportswriters Association of Cebu) which holds the 31st SAC-San Miguel Beer Cebu Sports Awards at the Northwing Atrium of the SM City Cebu. It’s our local Oscars or the Grammy’s which recognizes the best athlete performers of the 2012. From basketball, to volleyball, triathlon, swimming to taekwondo, athletes will get together in a different atmosphere this time. Instead of playing before us sportswriters, it’s our turn to honor them. Leading the pack of awardees include world champions Donnie Nietes and Johnriel Casimero (who’s defending his title today in Panama) and Michael Aldeguer of boxing to Tony del Prado and Mikaela Calamba of taekwondo. Azkals with Cebu roots like Patrick Reichelt, Ray Jonsson and Paolo Pascual will also be recognized along with Coaches Oliver Colina and Glen Ramos for football. Tradition sees us giving out Major Awards and Citations. We’ll also announce our Athlete of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, Orlacsan Award and a Presidential Award. The awardees won’t be coming in sports uniforms or warm-up suits. They’ll be there as regular guys and gals enjoying the company of their fellow top athletes from the different sports. It’s also another way to end the year 2012 and kicking off 2013 on a high note.

So what will it be? A, B or C? Make it all of the above.

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Time-out: To our dear friends at DPWH, the Mandaue reclamation area is still a mess of a traffic jam. And with nobody there working. Sad L >>> For the latest on the ThreeSixty Pharmacy Cup 2013, look up the page “ThreeSixty Pharmacy Cup” in Facebook.  >>> You can reach me at [email protected].