THE Don Bosco United FC (DBUFC) showed it is the much superior team as it trampled the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation Alumni FC (USP-F Alumni FC), 4-1, victory in their Men’s Open match of the 12th Aboitiz Football.
Cup yesterday at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center football grounds.
THOUGH the senior divisions may make the most noise in previous edition Tony Moraza of the Cebu Football Association said the Aboitiz Cup is all about the youth.
The Aboitiz Cup, which opened yesterday with one match in the Men’s Open at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center, makes it return after a one-year hiatus this year and offers competitions in the Men’s Open, Women’s Open, 38-Above, Players 8 and 10, Boys 12, Boys 14 and the Boys and Girls 17.
THE CEBU City government has allotted P428,000 to bankroll the travel expenses of the 78-man Team Cebu City to the Philippine Olympic Festival National Championships scheduled on Nov. 6 to 11 in Cagayan de Oro City.
Through the resolution of the Cebu City Council chairman on committee on games, amusement and sports Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem and Raul Alcoseba, the Council approved the financial aid which will be taken from the Pagcor funds.
“This is the first time Cebu City shoulders the entire expenses of the athletes going to the Philippine Olympic Festival,” Jakosalem told Sun.Star Cebu.
(I was mentally composing this in the cab but my thoughts were interrupted by a lovers’ program the cab’s radio was tuned on. The words stuck, my apologies—ML)
WHEN I was in high school, my name came out in the national papers’ sports section thrice and they all got it wrong, one so horribly wrong.
Hilo Papa ___? Mangita ko’g tiksmeyt, bahala’g dili gwapo basta nursing….
During a national sportswriting contest, I placed third, (insert smug smiley) my name came out as Limpao. Then in a football match, me, the scorer was identified as Michael Limpay, and in the same tournament a year later, I was identified as Michael Limpas—and worse, I wasn’t even playing as I was no longer eligible.
How in the world could a spectator become the winning goal scorer? I’ve always wondered about that. How can they get the name wrong?
YES, you read it right. This is no typo error and you read it here first.
The match is still three months away, but judging from the texts in the sports forum, it’s three months too late.
So what better way to end the speculation than to publish results of the fight, now? This way, I can also up the ante against sports analysts. They predict. I report.
So, like any modern-day quest for information, I scoured the Internet. And after hours of googling, I finally found this curious little website, www.futuresultsnow.com.
THE Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. and the Cebu Football Association is ironing a clash in their football calendars to allow the collegiate teams to join the Aboitiz tournament.
Early this month, Cesafi reiterated its stand that student-athletes prioritize playing for the school-based league and shouldn’t play in other leagues while the season is ongoing.
In a letter to Cebu Football Association president Richard Montayre, which was also faxed to Sun.Star Cebu, Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy said, “I respect your request that we work hand in hand in the organization of the different football competition in Cebu….Since we have finalized our schedules in all sporting events, including football, which will start on Oct. 4 and will end on Nov. 22, may I respectfully request that your tournament be scheduled after our Cesafi tournament so that the varsity players can also play in your prestigious leagues.”
The Aboitiz Cup is scheduled to start later this month but in the last edition in 2006, the Men’s Open—where the college teams are expected to play—started after the age groups competitions have ended.
–full text of letter to be uploaded later
DEAR Sir.
An accident with a chemical concoction in 2001 transformed me into a football. (I was trying to gain super powers).
However, life as a football wasn’t really that bad. I got to learn what footballs really want. (I’ve since returned to my human form in 2004—albeit minus a few brain cells—else I wouldn’t be able to write this).
But, because of the accident, I learned that in Cebu, footballs only look forward to the Cesafi and the Aboitiz events.
WITH the hullabaloo that the Cebu City Sports Center oval was getting, I thought, the best way to get to the bottom of things was to get the side of the subject, as any sane journalist should.
So yesterday, off I went for a chat with the 14-year-old edifice. I asked permission from CCSC manager Ricky B, but he just stared at me and locked his door when I left.
Still, it didn’t stop me. Permission be damned—a sports editor can get away with lots of things you know—I introduced myself to the Eight Lanes.
And boy, did I get a mouthful from the Eight!
“The nerve…Idiot…We have nothing to say but thank you very much…Get your feet off me before I whup you…Crazy…No comment!!!”
I reasoned and cajoled, “Don’t you want to air your side?”
“You’re one to talk about maintenance,” said Lane One, “You don’t even pay when you use us.”
“Freeloader!”
To get their side, I knew I had to be honest. So I admitted flashing my press card the one time I ran at the oval.
“Just one time? How about badminton? You always ask for a discount or free use!” One was still adamant, “Who’s paying you to write this?”
“Crazy freeloading media guy!”
It went on. One kept his accusations, while Crazy Two kept haranguing.
Finally, after an hour, I got them to talk.
I said, “They are planning to replace you, they say you can’t hack it anymore and you don’t even look the part.”
“Duh!” Lane Three, who sounded a bit like Friends’ Chandler, said, “We’re public property! Who respects public properties?”
“Crazy freeloading stupid media guy!”
But what about misuse? I continued, “You weren’t built for hosting Sinulogs, Alay Lakad or concerts. You are a track oval.”
Lane Five answered, ”As long as they respect the rules. It’s all about the rules. See that dude over there. There’s a big sign that says only rubber shoes are allowed yet he’s wearing what? Every day, hundreds of illegal shoes stamp us. Smoking? Don’t get me started, sometimes I feel like an ashtray…”
“And one time,” Lane Six interjected, “There was this woman wearing heels. I really didn’t mind because of her legs…”
“For the last time, she got cajones and was a HE!” Four interrupted, “Like you said, we are a track oval, but look around. Who’s running? Who’s playing football, badminton, baseball, judo, karatedo or just sitting, idling?”
“Crazy freeloading stupid leggy media guy with no cajones!!!”
“Please, stop calling me crazy, I’m having a conversation,” I lashed at Two, but Four explained, “You have to excuse Two, he was never the same after Their Honors _____ and ____ walked on him during the Sea Games.”
“Ooh, I see,” then continued, “How do you feel about getting replaced? You got bulges and all and can’t even host a national meet.”
Then, Lane Seven said, “Mister, do you dig graves and wonder why skeletons have no faces? Our lifespan is 10 years, we are 14.”
Eight, who was silent since the start, said, “These are all talk. Weren’t you the one who wrote about our sad state in 2001?”
“Yes,” I said.
“And again in 2005?”
“Yes.”
“Nothing happened, while you, you stamped your cigarette butts with illegal shoes on us, weeks after writing about our sorry state, didn’t you?”
I said nothing.
“Look at us, we’re wrinkled, we’re supposed to be. We’ve served our purpose. People are healthier because of us. You cry foul for every sports center that becomes a white elephant and here you are, crying foul because we look this way? Puh-lease,” Eight (I couldn’t believe I was hearing this from a rubber oval!)—continued, “Talk is cheap. Replace us, if you must. Now if you can. But if you can’t, leave us be.”
I couldn’t let a freakin’ oval get the better of me so I said…
However, I was interrupted.
“Dude,” said Four, “Here comes Ricky B with guys from the mental ward, I think you better scram!”
“Crazy running scamming media guy!”
I was quited surprised when I got the scores of some of the girls football matches in the Milo Little Olympics, so the next day, I checked them out. The team is good, and it’s better that they are now playing for their school.
Here’s an article from Sun.Star Cebu last Monday. http://sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/09/08/sports/stc.girls.football.team.makes.finals.in.first.try.html
FOR a school that teaches girls to be feminine and conservative, it was a pleasant surprise to see a bunch of high school girls from St. Theresa’s College play rough and tough in the football field at the Cebu City Sports Center in the 13th Milo Little Olympics.
This may be the first time in Milo Little Olympics history that STC allowed its students to take part, but the team sent a clear message that nobody can push them around because they sure can push back.
http://sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/09/12/sports/209.teams.sign.up.for.third.mizuno.cup.html
A HEFTY crowd of football players will congregate in the two-day football 3rd Mizuno Football Fiesta which will kickoff on Sept. 13 and 14 at the University of San Carlos-Technology Center football grounds.
This year’s installment of the Mizuno football festival has attracted 209 teams from different clubs and schools in Cebu City and three from San Carlos City and a lady team from Bacolod.
“This year’s tournament is much bigger than last year’s tournament. Last year’s participants were about 160 to 170 teams,” said Don Bosco United Football Club’s Jim Karl Akiatan, one of the organizers of the Mizuno tournament.
This tournament will showcase 11 categories – Players 6, Players 8, Players 10, Boys 12, Girls 12, Boys 14, Girls 14, Boys 17, Girls 17, Ladies Open, Men’s Open and the 38 and above categories.
The only thing missing in this year’s tournament is the 19-under division which was eliminated due to the scarcity of teams in that age bracket.
On the first day, there will be a formal opening at 7 a.m. followed by the games of the Players 6 to 10, Boys and Girls 12, 14, and Girls 17 categories while the Ladies Open, 38 and above and the much awaited Men’s Open, in which 44 teams are competing against each other, will be on the following day.
The champions of the contest will be receiving a trophy and individual medals while the 1st runner-ups will be given individual medals.
This football festival is sponsored by Mizuno and organized by Akiatan and Dexter Arrojado of Queen City United. (EKA)
