Beach Hut blanks Silangan to win first-ever PFF Futsaliga crown
MANILA, Philippines — It was a battle of contrasting styles in the final of the PFF Futsaliga U17 Girls' Division.
On one hand was an offensive juggernaut that scored 51 goals in eight games. On the other was the league's best defense, conceding only four goals in the same span.
In the end, offense proved to be the best defense as Beach Hut FC — a club composed of some of the country's most promising teenage footballers — shut down grassroots side Silangan FC Cainta, 5-0, to win the first-ever PFF Futsaliga title presented by the Philippine Sports Commission in front of a packed PhilSports Arena gallery.
Sofhia Muros sealed her Golden Boot award with a brace, while Santi Balajadia also scored two goals. Most Valuable Player (MVP) Azriella Casero disrupted Silangan's deliberate buildup play, orchestrating Beach Hut's relentless high and mid-press.
"Basta yung game plan kasi namin really is to press high kasi I saw na yung Cainta nga, hindi pa ganoon ka-experienced, so we really planned to press high [and] win the ball as early as possible," Beach Hut head coach Joyce Landagan said after the game.
The pressing defense was on full display early on. In the second minute, Baasha Aurelio intercepted the ball at midcourt and scored the opener off combination passing with Venise Favis.
Favis had another chance at goal on the very next possession following the high press but hit the woodwork. Nonetheless, Silangan held firm for the next 25 minutes, displaying excellent defending led by Goalkeeper of the Year Crisha Mae Madia while creating a few chances in the attacking third, only to be denied by Casero and goalkeeper Richelle Matondo.
The floodgates opened for Beach Hut in the 26th minute when Muros beat Rodelyn Quiale in a one-on-one situation for the goal.
Balajadia showcased the same attacking quality, beating a double team on the left flank before firing in a left-footed strike in the 33rd minute.
Muros struck again in the following minute after Sofia Arago intercepted the ball from the low block and fed it to the league's top scorer, who calmly completed her brace.
Balajadia, named Bootcamp Player of the Match, sealed the title in the final 28 seconds with a lob toward goal that Madia — who had conceded only four goals prior to the final — failed to handle.
"To my teammates, thank you sa hard work na binigay nyo. Thank you sa teamwork na ginawan natin and sa trainings," said Muros, who finished the inaugural season with 16 goals.
For Silangan's part, team manager Joao Pajaro expressed his delight that their grassroots team has reached the final of PFF Futsaliga.
"I think all the teams who have participated in this tournament are all winners. To experience this kind of league, to experience this kind of play make us all winners," he said.
PasigLaban, led by MVP runner-up Jazz Sosa, Golden Boot runner-up Dhea Cebe, and Martha Pagaran, trounced Nemesis Gaia FA, 6-2, to claim the bronze medal.
Star FC won the Plate title and finished in fifth place after defeating Sporting QC on penalties following a 2-2 draw (3-2), while Antipolo City FC and EMA Bulacan Highlanders rounded out the standings in seventh and eighth place, respectively. (Pool story)
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