Negros edges Davao XI, tops Suzuki U-23

MANILA, Philippines - Jinggoy Valmayor scored on a penalty as Negros Occidental Football Association trounced Davao FA, 1-0, to repeat as champions in the Philippine Football Federation Suzuki U-23 Cup last Thursday at Perdices Sports Complex in Dumaguete City.

The Negrenses, represented by Ceres-La Salle, got the opportunity to breach  scoreless match when forward Jimuel Arriola drew a hard tackle inside the box at the 81st minute. Valmayor gamely knocked in what turned out to be the game-winner and validation of NOFA’s status as the most dominant under-23 squad in the country.

“Despite a short preparation of four months, the team played hard and they deserved the victory,” team manager Leorey Yanson said in a report by Negros Daily Bulletin.

NOFA dominated the individual award with Azkals mainstay Joshua Beloya copping the Most Valuable Player (MVP) plum along with the Best Midfielder and Golden Boot awards.

“Everybody in the team is an MVP. I think everyone deserved this award. We played as a team and I’m thankful about it,” Beloya told NDB.

NOFA’s Anthony Tongson was adjudged Best Defender while Davao’s Dominador Tato earned the Golden Glove plum. Juven Benitez and Rudane Tamon of North Cotabato FA shared Beloya’s Top Scorer accolade with identical four goals in the tourney. Davao won the Fair Play award.

North Cotabato took third place honors via a 3-0 win over Iloilo in the first game.