Futkal-CFP tops challenge festival

MANILA, Philippines - Futkal-Center For Possibilities, a team from Tondo, pulled off a 4-2 victory over Aloha Boardsports-Golden City of Dasmariñas, Cavite to capture the Football For Good Challenge Festival crown at the La Salle Green Hills grounds over the weekend.

James Ayuban and Junel Dela Cruz scored in the last 10 minutes of the championship match, shattering a 2-2 count and clinching the victory for the Tondo kids in the six-a-side tournament for boys aged 13-16.

Futkal-Center and Aloha Boardsports swept Groups A and B, respectively, to arrange the title showdown with the former prevailing in the end. Other teams who competed were NK Trohamac, ELRO Boys Town, Rayomar Outreach Football, Leveriza Apache’s, Real Manila, Tuloy Amici, Sansur Nangka FC, and Casa Belrina’s Corinthians FC.

Ayuban and Dela Cruz also made it to the Dream Team along with Mark Punay, Roberto Orlandez, Edward Altivizo and Mario Titoy. Orlandez and Titoy were also members of the “miracle” RP team that saw action in the first Street Child World Cup in South Africa last March.

Dolores Cheng, who heads the Futkal-Center, a foundation for special needs children, graced the awards rites of the event organized by The Henry V Moran Foundation and La Salle Green Hills Football Program.

The tournament for less-fortunate footballers was backed by Milo, Koko Crunch, Nestle Ice Cream, Generika Pharmacy, Amici Pizza Pasta, Rodriguez Eye Care Clinic and over 20 patrons headed by Millie Dizon of SM and Karlo Estavillo of SMC.