Bigger, better UFL season mulled

MANILA, Philippines - A bigger UFL (United Football League) season is in the works following the successful staging of the inaugural event capped by the All-Star match at the Nomads Sports Club in Merville, Parañaque recently.

Global Smartmatic, headed by MVP Jerry Barbaso, dominated the Second Division and gained a spot in the First Division next season.

Air Force Riders, which topped the LBC-UFL Cup last December, completed a remarkable double by topping the UFL season, copping the UFL trophy plus a check worth P60,000.

In the All-Star match, which featured UFL’s top Filipino players against the “Rest of the World” selection, the local players took a 3-1 lead in the first half then held off their rivals to fashion out a 4-3 decision before a big, appreciative crowd.

The event was backed by Gatorade, Phiten, Outback Steakhouse and Arthaland.

Air Force Riders defender Martin Doctora struck early in the seventh minute then Ian Araneta, another Air Force Riders star, and Army Phiten midfielder Roel Gener followed suit against the lone goal delivered by Kaya Digiprint striker Izzeldin Elhabbib.

Global Smartmatic’s Ivory Coast native Remi Alain-Sery closed the gap at 3-2 in the second half but Emelio Caligdong scored to give the UFL stars another two-goal lead before Elhabbib knocked in his second goal for the final score.

Aside from Barbaso, other awardees were Nomads Aloha Boardsports’ Jeff Blake (best goalkeeper), Sunken Garden’s Romuald Ngong (top goalscorer) , Emil Balidio (best referee), Army Phiten’s Edward Sacapano (best goalkeeper), Kaya Digiprint’s Izzeldin Elhabbib (top goalscorer), and Air Force Riders’ Ian Araneta (MVP).