Don Bosco shocks ANS to clinch Pintaflores football crown

CEBU, Philippines - The Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) booters somewhat caught one big fish after they gunned down the highly favored Abellana National School (ANS) via penalty shootout, 5-3, in the all-Cebu final to clinch the 16-under title of the Pintaflores National Invitational Football Tournament yesterday in San Carlos City.

The Pomeroy-supported ANS of coach Francis Ramirez, which nailed the secondary football championship of the first ever Milo Little Olympics National Championships a week ago, was close to another crowning glory after Dandan Villarico knocked in a goal at the 66th.

In the last five minutes of the game, however, the Bosconians under the behest of coach Glenn Ramos applied a stifling defense that disorganized the ANS squad. Ramos’ gambit paid off as a Don Bosco player scored on a direct kick at the 88th to equalize the count at 1-all, thus, the extra 10-minute period.

The match went into shootout after both teams failed to convert a goal in the extension.

In the penalty shootout, all of DTC’s kickers in Rico de Guzman, Peter Ricamora, Micko Limalima, Sid Tabar and John-John Caballero slammed the ball home to the dismay of ANS goalie Henry Perales.

For ANS, only Villarico, John Nieves, John Melgo and Dan-Dan punched in a goal each.

Among the individual awardees, Don Bosco’s Ricamora stood the brightest as he bagged the MVP trophy. His teammate Leonard Tan was named as the best goal keeper. ANS did not go home empty-handed as Marnel Villarico was declared as the best striker and Prince Anthony as the best midfielder. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (FREEMAN NEWS)