Barili FC sizzles in Friendship bootfest

CEBU, Philippines - They travelled all the way from the south and went home with the bacon. Barili Football Club dusted off the effects of a long road trip and overcame its lower seeding by taking the championship of the Players 8 division of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Friendship Cup 2012 over the weekend. Meanwhile the hosts Magis Eagles swept the titles in the Players 10, Boys 15 and Girls 17 divisions.

Barili FC nipped San Roque Football Club-A (SRFC), 1-0, in the final but nearly missed the playoffs with an average performance in group play. They actually finished third in Group C with seven points from a 2-1-1 won-draw-lost record, behind Group C topnotcher Warshockz FC’s 10 points (3-1-0) and Canduman FC’s eight points (2-2-0). But they stepped up when it mattered most, beating SRFC-B, 2-0 in the quarterfinal round and surprising SHS-Ateneo-A, 2-0, in the semifinals.

Barili FC’s win in the Players 8 division proved to be the only title for visiting teams as SHS-Ateneo’s booters then took over in the elder divisions.

SHS-AdC’s Players 10 team nipped Warshockz, 1-0, in the finals, courtesy of a goal by Matt Suico. SHS-Ateneo was second in group play behind SRFC-A, but stopped Barili FC, 2-0, in the quarterfinals, and Count FC, 1-0, in the semifinals.

In the Boys Under 15 division, the Magis Eagles’ Boys Under 14 team toppled Sons of Sweat United (SOS), 2-0 for the title. JM Kwan scored the first goal in the first half, while Kintaro Miyagi added the insurance goal in the second half. The team had topped Group A tied with Dynamo FC with nine points (3-0-1), but earned the top seeding via goal difference. They beat South Hills, 1-0 in the quarters, then got back at Dynamo for its group play loss by wining, 1-0, in the semifinals.

In the only Girls division of the one-day tournament, SHS-Ateneo leaned on Selina Fernan’s strong corner kick goal to top USC, 1-0, in the finals.

Fernan’s left-footed kick was actually blocked by the goalkeeper but the ball bounced off into the goal for the win. The goal capped a game marked by several missed chances on both sides.

SHS-AdC had defeated CIC-Mandaue via penalty shoot-out, 2-0 in the semifinals, with goalkeeper Nicole Adlawan stepping up to stop all three kicks.

The SHS-Ateneo de Cebu Friendship Cup 2012 was held to provide more games and exposure for developmental teams.

Over-all Tournament Co-Chairmen Engr. Nilo Ferraren and Dexter Rufin were both grateful and happy with the turn of events.

“We are so grateful that our prayers were answered with the perfect weather and that all teams gave it their best. We are sure that they learned and grew a lot in football experience just by simply playing,” they said in a statement.

Among those who graced the affair and the awarding ceremonies were SHS-Ateneo de Cebu President Fr. Manny Uy, SJ, and Cebu Football Association Board Members Vice President Rico Navarro and Membership Committee Head Raffy Musni. (FREEMAN)