ERCO BRO retains title in Thirsty Cup bootfest

CEBU, Philippines - The ERCO BRO Nationals successfully retained their title in the men’s 38-above division as Don Bosco Technology Center scored a double championship victory over visiting Meralco Loyola Spark Youth team in the 12th Thirsty Football Festival yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

ERCO Bro showed confidence as they already had a ‘lechon’ on their side even before they were declared as champion. They opened their bid with a 1-0 win over ERCO-A, 1-0, before outsmarting Don Bosco-Alumni B, 1-0. ERCO BRO then annihilated Hipodrom FC, 4-0 and defeated Echelon, 2-0.

On their final match, ERCO BRO booters had a scoreless draw with Don Bosco Alumni-A, but despite of this, they were still declared champions with 13 points. Don Bosco placed second with 2-3 win-draw record.

ERCO BRO's Gregorio Guiuan, who is from Dumaguete City was named the Most Valuable Player of the men's 38 division.

On the other hand, Don Bosco coach Glenn Ramos could not be happier as his young players defeated the Loyola Meralco Sparks Youth squad in two separate divisions.

Don Bosco's Team A got its finals ticket in the mixed under-7 after beating another visiting squad, Southshield FC of Davao City, 3-0 while Loyola Meralco Sparks outgunned Don Bosco-B, 2-0, to also earn a slot in the finals.

During the finals match, the Bosconians dominated Loyola Meralco Sparks, 2-0 to grab the mixed under-7 crown. Gab Tabar got the MVP award.

Wanting to prove that their victory in the under-7 was not a fluke, the Bosconians once again broke the hearts of Loyola Meralco Sparks with another 2-0 win, this time for the under-9 division title. Ash Ballesteros was named the MVP after leading the charge for Don Bosco.

In the men’s open, Team Voltaire is currently at the top of Group 1 with 2-1 win-draw record, followed by Mizuki Enterprise with a 2-1 win-loss card,

Team Voltaire had a scoreless draw with Leylam FC-A in the opener, but nailed two straight wins over Alpha Male, 3-0, and Mizuki, 1-0.

Leylam FC’s Team B topped Group 2 with a perfect 3-0 record, while KTEC Trading is trailing behind with a 2-1 record.

Leylam FC-B didn’t break any sweat as they won via default against KTEC Trading, before taking away a 3-0 triumph over CIS and MFC.

The action resumes today at the CCSC with the men's final battle along with the remaining divisions. (FREEMAN)