Davao booters retain PFF-adidas title

BAGO CITY – Banking on a superb performance by Glen Balaquina, Davao hacked out a 1-0 victory over Team JPV Biscocho House-Iloilo to win its second straight PFF-adidas U-19 National Youth championship before a big crowd at the Manuel Torres Sports Center here Monday.

The 18-year-old Balaquina stood out for the Davaoeños, striking the game’s only goal on the 40th minute when he pounced on a mad scramble infront of the goal-mouth after Iloilo failed to clear the brilliant free kick from the left flank by team captain Renor Negro.

More importantly, Balaquina, who was later named the tournament MVP and best defender, held the Davao defense together as the Ilonggos attacked without let-up in the second half.

"I’m just happy that my teammates did not give up. We showed a lot of heart and character in winning this match," Balaquina said.

Davao was contented of being put on the defensive most of the time and was forced to play long balls to striker Ramil Sale with Iloilo dominating midfield.

"We just played good defense to win this one," Davao coach Ramonito Carreon said.

When Iloilo stepped up its attack in the final 10 minutes, Balaquina frustrated Iloilo’s strikers with his stellar defense and inspired his teammates, who responded by clogging the middle and putting up a tough defensive wall to foil the Ilonggos’ bid.

"He (Balaquina) really played well today. He deserves to be MVP," said Carreon, whose side went into the finals with a 4-0 record, highlighted by a 2-0 win over National Capital Region in the semifinals.

Earlier, Negros salvaged third place with a 4-2 win over NCR. Hometown favorite Rodelito Manalo struck on the 41st and 54th minutes to power the Negrenses, who also drew a goal each from Bryan Eborda and RJ Torralballa.

Gerard Concio pulled a goal back for NCR on the 75th minute, before Francis Gustilo’s free kick from 25 yards out pegged the final count.

Hardly showing signs of fatigue from their 2-1 extra time win over Negros Sunday, the Ilonggos had the first best scoring chance on the 32nd minute when diminutive striker Reylan Britanya eluded two defenders only to see his shot go an inch over the bar. On the 34th minute, a Britanya cross to the far post was met by a streaking Peter Sobrido, whose volley went straight into the hands of Davao keeper Al-Adel Salida.

Unfazed, Iloilo continued to push forward and Britanya again caught the Davao defense off guard a minute before the break, beating the offside trap but his shot went wide at the right side of the post.

Salida, the tournament’s best keeper, was also instrumental in the win, making two crucial saves in the second half. He deflected another Sobrido volley on the 64th minute and parried a Joven Bedic’s right-footed shot from 25 yards out a minute later. With five minutes left, Bedic, the tournament’s best striker with five goals to his name, dribbled and danced free on the left of the area before unleashing a drive but Balaquina lunged to foil Britanya.

After the game, Iloilo coach Domingo Subo complained of a no-call by the referee in injury time, claiming that Davao had committed a handball infraction in one of the many scrambles inside the penalty box.

The fair play award went to Rizal FA, while Negros winger Jason Panhay was named best midfielder.

The "PFF-Adidas U-19 National Youth Championship" was organized for the Philippine Football Association (PFF) by the Negros 0ccidental Football Association and backed by PFF sponsor-partners Petron, Red Ribbon Bakeshop, 2Go, Pagcor Sports and UNICEF.