Titans, Greywolves & Magis Eagles Rule

One of the more interesting twists and highlights of this schoolyear’s high school football season has been the wild and wooly ride of Cebu’s top teams. The Under 17 age group is known to be dominated by any of the following (not in any order): Don Bosco Technology Center, PAREF Springdale and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu. Darkhorses are Abellana National School/Pomeroy and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation. Historically, Don Bosco has been recognized as the powerhouse of age group/grassroots football. But the challenge from the other teams has become tougher of late. And this season has been a roller coaster ride that hasn’t been able to pin down one single team as the team above all others, with different schools taking the championships of the different major tournaments. A team is gauged by its performance in football’s major events: Milo Little Olympics, CESAFI, Cebu City Olympics, CVIRAA and the Aboitiz Football Cup.

The PAREF Springdale Titans started off the season on a high note when it won its second straight championship at the Milo Little Olympics Visayas Regional Finals, defeating SHS-Ateneo in the finals, 2-0. It was Springdale’s second straight win over the Magis Eagles at an MLO finals. SHS-Ateneo had earlier defeated Don Bosco in the semifinals, 2-1. If this were the end of the season, then Springdale would be the top team in the age group, hands down. They went on to win the silver medal at the MLO 2014 National Finals after winning the national title in 2013. The Don Bosco Greywolves then recovered from their MLO loss to SHS-Ateneo as the dominated the CESAFI 2014 football tournament, defeating SHS-Ateneo, 2-1, in the finals. Note that Springdale and Abellana are not part of CESAFI. Don Bosco then added a second major title when they defeated Springdale in the finals of the Cebu City Olympics, squeaking by via penalty shootout. On the other side of the metro, SHS-Ateneo won the gold at the Mandaue City Olympics, thus setting the stage for a possible rematch with Don Bosco at the CVIRAA.

Without a major title to brag about this season, the Magis Eagles saved their best for last. Representing Mandaue City and reinforced by two booters from its neighbor and outreach program partner Canduman High School, they surprised the Don Bosco-led Cebu City team at the semifinals of the CVIRAA, 3-1, then won the gold medal via a 2-0 win over Dumaguete City. Many football fans believed that the semis game was already the CVIRAA “Finals” with both teams out to prove that they were the better team in high school football. With Don Bosco reinforced by players from Springdale and USPF, it was like the best of Mandaue versus the best of Cebu City, and both sides didn’t disappoint in providing excellent football action. The Magis Eagles will thus make a second trip to the Palarong Pambansa after its silver medal finish at the Palaro 2012 in Dumaguete.

So what’s left? The Aboitiz Football Cup Under 18 division title is now up for grabs with Springdale and Abellana topping their respective groups in group play. Don Bosco is tied with Leylam FC in its group with a game remaining, while SHS-Ateneo is at second in its group behind ERCO by goal difference. At the rate they’re going, we’re bound to see a playoffs cast with familiar faces. Also in contention are USPF and USC BED. Note that the Aboitiz Football Cup’s Under 18 division is not necessarily restricted to high school teams. College players who are of age are also eligible to play in the tournament, thus the presence of former teammates/alumni of some of the schools already playing.

As the schoolyear comes to a close soon, there is no sure consensus regarding who’s tops in Under 17 football. While Springdale started out hot, they somehow faded midway and are now back in the hunt. Don Bosco took over midway through the season before SHS-Ateneo made sure they won a title before the schoolyear ended. If this were boxing, it would be a split draw. At the end of the day, Cebu Football is the real winner out of all this. It’s a very healthy sign that Cebu Football is very much alive with a balance that makes the scene more competitive and makes teams consequently better. Thus, games are better played, more intense and entertaining. Just the way it should be.

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Time-out: The BEST Center basketball clinic sponsored by Milo will be held May 11-16, 2015, at the SHS-Ateneo de Cebu Mango Avenue Campus Gym. For details, check out the page “BEST Center Sports Cebu” in Facebook.