IT WAS another great year for Philippine football with the successful staging of the fourth Ceres Cup held over the weekend at three venues in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
The number of teams in this year’s edition has also drawn in numerous scouts from various universities and colleges across the country to look for potential players for the upcoming school year.
Mayor Neil Lizares of the host-Talisay City thanked the Ceres Cup organizers for their continuous trust in choosing Talisay as the venue.
This year’s event gathered around 30,000 athletes, coaches, parents and spectators. Visiting teams filled many hotels and inns both in Talisay City and Bacolod City.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., for his part, felt honored and happy for having football enthusiasts around the country gather in Negros Occidental.
“We have said time and again that the youth are hope of our fatherland, and it is important that at their young age, we already start to hone their talents and skills for them to beautifully grow and become productive and responsible citizens of our country,” he said.
He added, “We are grateful for Ceres Negros FC (Football Club) for its continuing commitment in promoting football not just as a platform in developing sports heroes but, as an ideal venue to foster unity and friendship as well.”
“The recent football games in our province involving Ceres Negros FC and competing teams from our neighboring Asian countries has truly been an effective medium for us to showcase the best in our province and to promote football as a sports tourism,” the governor further said.
Results
In Day 1, Don Bosco-Victorias ruled Mixed 9 winning over Ateneo de Manila University followed by runners-up Don Bosco B-Cebu and Sagay City; Boys 11, Koronadal City claimed the title over eventual runner-up ACM Chieffy Caligdong followed by Football Kings United and San Carlos City; Girls 13, Sagay City dominated the division followed by Cebu United, San Carlos City and Rizal Elementary; Boys 13, champion is Jaro FC followed by Sagay City FC-A, Sta. Barbara-Iloilo and KN Feraren United FC of Cebu; Boys 18, champion is Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos followed by STI West Negros University, Don Bosco-Cebu, and San Carlos City; Sta. Barbara ruled Ladies 19 over Cadiz FC followed by Barotac Nuevo Football United and Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos; and Men’s Open, Bacolod United FC-A dominated the division over visiting Korean team Footballstory as Sagay Tokhang and Bacolod United FC-B settled for runners-up.
