Negros booters cop Coke crown

DUMAGUETE City - Negros Oriental High School banked on star striker Wouter Delbaere and goalie Phil Bucol to blank St. Paul School of Barotac Nuevo, 2-0, yesterday and clinch the 16th Coke Go-for-Goal national football title at the packed Silliman University field here.

In a game that had all the trimmings of a classic championship, Delbaere struck for two goals while Bucol preserved the win with outstanding saves as the Dumaguete booters captured their fourth national under 16-crown.

Iligan East High School dumped Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School, 3-1, earlier to bag third place at the close of the successful Coca-Cola-sponsored tourney with Adidas as the official ball.

Awarding the trophies and medals to the winners were Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz and Philippine Football Federation president Rene Adad.

"We knew that St. Paul was well-prepared but we also prepared hard so I just told my boys that this was the final stretch and not to let up," said Negros coach Andy Manaquil. "The hometown crowd also helped a lot."

Delbaere emerged as the tournament's top striker with nine goals. He scored in the seventh minute from a left-cross pass after evading St. Paul defender Marvin Rivera.