Ateneo girls place 2nd in Thirsty Cup

By Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan

Thursday, February 21, 2013

HIGHLY-touted Ateneo de Davao University bowed to San Carlos City, 0-1, in their finals to finish runner-up in girls 14 event of the just concluded 10th Thirsty Football Cup at the Abellana Sports Center in Cebu City.

Ateneo coach Rachelle delos Reyes, in an e-mail, said San Carlos City striker Issa 
Carmona hit a strong ground ball shot just outside the penalty box as Ateneo's 
goalkeeper Chiyo Marasigan failed to stop it. The Ateneo girls then made a few 
attempts to equalize but fell short. Carmona was named division most valuable player.

Ateneo, also coached by Julio Orcasitas Jr., succumbed to a 0-2 loss opposite 
San Carlos Football Club in the semi-finals.

In Group 1 eliminations, Ateneo blanked Harvest FC, 2-0, then won on the 
same note against Phoenix FC and St. Therese College.

Ateneo then hacked out a 2-0 win over CIS Dragons in the quarter-finals.

"We are satisfied with the result since our team played well against other teams,"
 Delos Reyes said.

She praised the efforts of players Marasigan, Joannah Marie Adao,
 Nica Zsanovy Mari Balahay, Michaela Louise Co, Angela Bea de Luna, 
Bea Felice Panganiban, Kyra Noelle Paronda, Ma. Inah Junessa Rosales,
 Leah Therese Reyes, Patricia Erica Francisco and Luisa Uy.

The same team also competed in girls 17 category where they lost to 
St. Therese College, 0-1, in the Round of 16. Junior and senior players of 
the squad didn't play to attend their JS Prom.

In the ladies open, D' Davao Survivors-Hinex was beaten by 
Don Bosco Ladies, 3-4, via pentaly shootout in the Round of 16. 
Delos Reyes, Analou Ingles, Kharlla Sol Cruz, Reynalyn Ravanes, 
July Anne Bunac, June Mae Bunac, Kimberly Cupal, Erin Babas, 
Patricia Erica Francisco, Allyn Ravanes, Bea De Luna, Ina Rosales and 
Simonette Gaspay composed the team.

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on February 21, 2013.

Little Azkals win big

Saturday, February 16, 2013

THE Leylam Little Azkals showed why they deserve to represent the country in international competition after an easy disposal of Cebu football powerhouse Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) in the Boys-14 finals of the 10th Thirsty Football Cup yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The Little Azkals, the Philippine National Under-14 squad, held DBTC scoreless, 3-0, to win their second straight title in the Boys-14 division of the biggest annual football festival in Cebu City.

The Little Azkals started with a quick pace and immediately scored a goal with just a minute into the game. Cebuano winger Soy Soy Colina struck from a distance and hit the back of the net after the Don Bosco goalkeeper failed to block the shot.

Three minutes later, another Cebuano national team player, Major Dean Ebarle, hit his target after stripping the ball from a defender and striking it from point blank range.

Ebarle, who was named MVP, showed that not only can he score goals but he can also pass as he set up Mark Winhoffer with an accurate ground ball for a goal in the 18th minute.

DBTC had some shots on target but the Little Azkals defense was top notch.

“I didn’t expect it to be that easy. Don Bosco is one of the top teams of Cebu in the Under-14 division,” Little Azkals head coach Oliver Colina told Sun.Star Cebu after wresting the Boy-14 crown.

The Little Azkals earned a trip to the championship round after a 2-0 win over Tubigon, while DBTC earned its slot with a 1-0 victory over Paref-Springdale.

The Little Azkals, composed of the best Under-14 players from the Philippines, is preparing for an Asean Football Federation tournament in the middle of this year. They will also leavfe for in Australia for a training camp two weeks before the competition.

“Our main target is the Boys-17 division and not the Under-14. This only serves as a tune-up,” said Colina.

The Leylam Little Azkals was preparing to compete in the Under-17 division against bigger and better teams at press time.

Meanwhile, the Abellana National School (ANS) took the Boys-19 crown after edging out visiting Silliman University, 1-0, the other night. Tom Booth scored the lone goal for ANS.

Action in the Thirsty Cup, which attracted 349 teams on its 10th edition, resumes today at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 17, 2013.

 

Caligdong joins Erco in Thirsty

By Cheska D. Geli

Friday, February 15, 2013

AZKALS captain Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong will grace the 10th Thirsty Football Festival that will kick off today at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The former Philippine Air Force superstar who transferred to the La Salle Green Archers Football Club in the United Football League will play for the Erco FC team in the men’s open.
Caligdong already confirmed his presence but he has yet to announce other players he will bringing in for the men’s open matches this Sunday.
Meanwhile, four players from the PAF arrived yesterday and will also be playing for Erco. Their presence was made possible through the efforts of coach Glen Ramos and Engr. Keith Buyco, founders of Bro National Cup.
The players are Jezurel Tunog, Martin Doctura, Joime Tolosa and Erwin Oro who all play in the United Football League.
Erco is among the 72 teams that will play in the men’s open which will have some preliminary matches on Saturday at Don Bosco Technological College.
Today’s games will start at 5 p.m. and will feature the Girls 14, Girls 19, Boys 19 and 42-above in a 7 a-side format.
The Players 6 games on Saturday will be moved at Bright Academy on Saturday.
Also, the Players 6, Boys 12, Girls 17 and 36-above will be played at the Don Bosco Technological Center field in Punta Prinsesa on Saturday but the Boys 14, Boys 17 and Players 10 will be at the CCSC.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 15, 2013.

Bigger Thirsty Cup hits town this weekend this weekend

By Cheska D. Geli

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

THE Thirsty Cup Football Festival continues to grow in number as they will 
welcome 349 teams, the largest by far, from Feb. 15 to 17 at the 
Cebu City Sports Center.

As the longest-running football festival in the city turns a decade old,
 it has attracted more participation from football clubs outside Cebu, 
with visiting teams from 11 key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“It's getting bigger every year since we started in 2004 with 120 teams 
and there's also more support from fans and parents,” said Bunny Pages, 
CEO of Pages Holdings and Thirsty Fruit Juices and Shakes.

These teams come from Tacloban, Leyte, Bohol, Dumaguete, Masbate,
 Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Davao, Dipolog, Bukidnon and as far as 
Zamboanga.

The festival will still retain its categories from last year— the Players 6, 
Players 8, Players 10, Boys 12, Boys and Girls 14, Boys and Girls 17, 
Boys and Girls 19, Ladies and Men’'s Open and the 36-above and 42 above.

All these categories will be played in a 7-aside format except for the 
Players 6, which will still be a 5-aside event.

The men's open will be action-packed with 72 teams set to converge 
on Sunday along with the Ladies Open, which has 22 teams.

One of the highlights of the festival are the night games on Friday in 
the Girls 14, Girls 19, Boys 19 and Players 42 and above, 
which will be played from 5 p.m. until midnight.

On Saturday, matches in the Boys 14, Boys 17 and Players 10 will 
kick off in the sports center while the Players 8, Players 6, Boys 12, 
Girls 1 and 36-above will be played in Don Bosco Technology 
Center in Punta, Prinsesa.

Among the things to look forward to are the appearance of Azkal 
national player Emelio Caligdong and the Leylam Little Azkals. Caligdong will 
be playing with Erco FC in the men's open division.

“The board's support will always be here for Thirsty Cup. It is the 
pioneer of football festivals in Cebu and has established itself as the 
premier football festival in Cebu,” said Cebu Football Association Vice 
President Rico Navarro.

CFA Referee Committee Head Rodney Orale also assured that there 
will be enough referees for this weekend's matches despite the late 
night games.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 13, 2013.

Newly-formed team of veterans tops Thirsty Cup for second men’s open title in Cebu

By Marian C. Baring

Sunday, February 19, 2012

KTEK Trading may be a new team, but it is a team to be reckoned with as it grabbed its second title for the year, winning the men’s open division of the Thirsty Cup yesterday at the University of San Carlos Football Field.

Powered by former members of the national squad, the team defeated San Roque Nawanao, 2-0, in a penalty shootout, to win the title--the team’s second this year after the Sinulog Cup.

The game ended in a scoreless draw in regulation, forcing the shootout. Jake Acre and Peter Martin Dionela sank their shots, while goalie Henderson Jay Campo stopped one shot from San Roque with the other hitting the post.

Campo was later named the Most Valuable Player for the men’s open.

Team captain Frederick Alazas said they are slowly trying to build up a strong team. Alazas played for last year’s champion Queen City United.

“We are a group of friends who formed a team to join these competitions and we hope to continue playing,” said Alazas, a former Under-20 team member.

Alazas said that despite practicing just twice a week to prepare for Thirsty, they still finished with a good result. He added that they will be doubling their efforts for the CAFC 12th Inter-Club tournament in May.

Most of the members of the team are also part of the Hiroshi squad that was banned a few years ago for getting into a fight. Yesterday, a short commotion ensued during their quarterfinals against the University of San Carlos.

Alazas said they complained about the official who was undecided about a crucial call.

“He made a call that he wasn’t even sure about and it was a very crucial part of the match. And he could no longer take it back because he already made a call,” said Alazas.

Organizer Neil Montesclaros said that the referees did a good job and complaints like these happen every day.

Meanwhile, Montesclaros and Chad Songalia said they stood firm in their decision to strip Chicos FC of the women’s open title for failing to declare in their official lineup the name of one player, Jessah Sumagpao, who later became the MVP.

The team, through a letter from Nenette Espiritu Lanza, said they expected a deliberation to be made but were surprised to find out that the organizers’ decision was final.

“This is a festival-type tournament and we make decisions on the spot. We never said they cheated. It was an honest mistake on their part. We just have to decide on it based on our ground rules. It was a lapse on their part and we even found out about it by chance,” said Songalia.

Chicos failed to place Sumagpao’s name in the lineup. After the tournament, the team suggested to give the MVP trophy to Sumagpao. It was only then when the organizers discovered the discrepancy.

“We know that there was no intention to cheat, it was a matter of technicality,” said Montesclaros.

Because of this, Chicos, a team from Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo, was stripped of the title and it was given to runner-up San Roque FC.


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 20, 2012.

Teams to tackle challenging playing field in Thirsty Cup Men’s, Ladies’ Open at USC-TC

By Cheska D. Geli

Friday, February 17, 2012

THE Men’s and Ladies Open matches of the 9th Thirsty Cup Football Festival will push through today at the University of San Carlos – Talamban Football Field.

The mud from the heavy rains that hounded last week’s opening is one of the challenges organizers had to deal with in this year’s hosting.


The field last week was so busted up after the age-group matches were played that there were reports that said the USC administration got disappointed with the organizers for failing to restore and rehabilitate the field.

However, organizer John Pages said they already talked to the USC officials last Monday and discussed this concern and have agreed on how to address it.

The organizers will hire additional utility people this weekend to take care of the shower and washing area.

“Nobody anticipated that we would have that kind of weather last week. This is already beyond our control and games had to go on as schedule,” said Pages.

“For this weekend, I could only pray for a cooperative weather,” he added.

Some teams started practicing on the field to get used to the conditions.

As for USC head coach Gary Panagsagan who will defend their women’s open title, they have no choice but to play even in an unplayable field.

“Wala mi choice, muduwa gyud mi kay walay laing field available,” said Panagsagan.


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 18, 2012.

Little Azkals rule

By Mars Alison
Cebu Daily News

The Little Azkals once again showcased their consistency and chemistry after clinching the boys 14 title of the 9th Thirsty Cup yesterday despite getting back together as a team only a few days ago.
Members of the Little Azkals—the Philippine Under 14 National Team— come from different parts of the country. Because of their studies, they only get together rarely for training and tournaments.
However, the Little Azkals showed that no distance could keep them from playing as a team as they overcame the very muddy field to survive a penalty shootout against Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC), 3-2, at the San Roque football field.
The Little Azkals managed several attempts in regulation but was never able to convert as the Magis Eagles put up a tight defense until the referee blew the whistle to end the match at 0-all.
Javier Romero-Salas scored the first goal during the penalty shootout. This was, however, immediately answered with a goal by SHS-AdC’s Mark Veloso.
Jeremiah Borlongan faltered for the Little Azkals and momentarily gave the Magis Eagles hope until Jun Canlas also failed to score during his turn.
Little Azkals team captain Darius Joseph Diamante placed the team up, 2-1, after his attempt found the back of the net. SHS-AdC refused to concede the title with its goalkeeper Jeremiah Bernaldez pulling the Magis Eagles abreast at 2-all.
Josh Albert Miller’s goal clinched it for the Little Azkals after Inigo Ugarte squandered his chance.
The Little Azkals finally overcame a loss they suffered here in Cebu at the hands of the Don Bosco Technology Center during last year’s DRB Football Cup.
Little Azkals head coach Oliver Colina said he is happy that they are starting the year right and he hopes this will continue for the whole year.
The Little Azkals defeated DBTC A, 2-1, via a penalty shootout in the semifinals and dismissed Masbate, 2-0, in the quarterfinals.
The rest of the winners were SHS-AdC in the girls 17, Olles FC of Bukidnon in the players 6, Barili FC in players 8 and Subangdaku Football Club (SFC) in the girls 14.

Cebu Daily News

Barili FC overcomes odds, bag Players 8 title in first attempt in Thirsty Cup

By Marian C. Baring

Saturday, February 11, 2012

IF CATMON has a strong foundation in volleyball, Barili is aiming to have a football powerhouse team.

The Players 8 team of Barili FC hit it big in its first attempt in the Thirsty Cup as it beat the visiting Masbate, 2-1, in an exciting shootout in the final.


“It is our dream for Barili to have a strong football team just as Catmon has volleyball,” said coach and teacher Lina Eleccion.

In the match, Barili figured to a 1-1 draw in regulation to force the shootout. Barili goalie Deo Prinz Niño Ortiz stopped Masbate’s first two kickers, while Bruce Algono banged in the winning goal.

Eleccion said that they never pressured the boys to win the title.

“We joined because these kids go to school at dawn so they could jog and go home later than everyone else for their training. There aren’t a lot of tournaments that they can join in Barili so this tournament was very helpful in giving them exposure,” said Eleccion. “We want them to get as much training as they can while they are still young because in the future, they will raise football’s popularity in Barili just like we did back in the past.”

Eleccion added that she could remember football was very popular in their town the 80s and she wants that to happen again.

“When I took over, I knew I wanted that to happen,” she said. So she went room to room to ask players who want to try playing football and got a trainer for their training sessions, which is held twice per day.

In a short time, they were able to develop talented players.

“The provincial team during the last Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association picked up four players from Barili to reinforce the team, which was also a proud moment for us,” she added.

But like all success stories, everything had a difficult phase.

“When the team started to take shape, I started needing help, especially in the financial aspect,” said Eleccion. “I gathered all the parents and told them the need for their support and it really helped that they understood the need.”

“But of course, we can’t really force them to give huge amounts because we have to understand their financial limitations as well,” she added.

She added they almost couldn’t make it to the tournament because of budget constraints but she didn’t give up.

“Nipalit ko ug T-shirt para mahimo nilang uniform. Nakagasto ko ug mga P1,000. Nanghangyo ko sa parents ug sa mga kaila nga mutabang. Naay nihatag ug P50, ang uban, P100. Ako ra na gitapok aron naa mi magasto para sa tournament,” she said.

The municipal government of Barili provided them with a bus but Eleccion and the parents had to raise the P3,000 for the fuel.

But Eleccion said all of the hard work paid off after seeing the team’s victory. She is not asking for anything in return--only that someone will give the team uniforms.

“Wala mi nangayo ug prize para ani. Kung naa man gani, maayo unta naay muhatag ug uniform para sa mga bata. Luoy intawn kaayo ug mga nawng. Naglain-lain lang ang dagway sa ilang shorts,” she added.

Meanwhile, Subangdaku FC took the title in the Girls 14 division, defeating San Roque Football Club, 1-0.

In the Girls 17 division, St. Theresa’s College A led the pack after winning all three matches, while Ateneo de Cebu, SRFC and Queen City B are tied in Group B with two wins each.


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 12, 2012.

USC girls eye Thirsty sweep

By Cheska D. Geli

Friday, February 10, 2012

THE University of San Carlos girls football team will gun for a sweep in three divisions as the 9th Thirsty Football Cup opens its ninth edition on its home court at
the USC-TC football field.

The USC girls teams swept the Girls 17, Girls 19 and Women’s Open titles last year, using almost the same group of players.


“We still want to defend the title and we will rely on basically the same players from last year,” said head coach Gary Panagsagan.

The USC Girls team will field 18 players in the three divisions and will be led by last year’s MVPS Samantha Su and Maritoni Trebol.

“Yung mga players sanay na yan sa bakbakan so okay lang sa kanila maglaro sa tatlong divisions,” said Panagsagan.

The team has been practicing every day and expects stiff challenges from Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Saint Theresa’s College in the Girls 17 and 19 divisions.

They may have missed some players in the women’s division but they will be beefed up by seven players from San Roque Football Club.

The team failed to play in the University Games last year due to a conflict of schedule so they are looking at the Thirsty Cup as a chance to add to their silverware.

“We basically have the same lineup from last year. Our chances are okay,” said Panagsagan.


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 11, 2012.

Ninth edition of Thirsty Football Cup attracts record 321 teams from Visayas and Mindanao

By Cheska D. Geli
Thursday, February 9, 2012

THE 9th Thirsty Cup Football Festival will stage the biggest football tournament in the country with 321 teams expected to see action in the two-weekend tournament on Feb. 11-12 and Feb. 19 and 20.

From last year’s 200 teams, the number has grown to over 300 this year, eclipsing the Alaska Cup in Manila, which attracted 281 teams.

For the first time, organizers will use two venues to accommodate the number of teams and almost 3,000 players. Matches will be played at the University of San Carlos Talamban Campus and San Roque football fields.

For this weekend, the Boys 12, 14, 17 and 19 will be played in San Roque Field, while the other age groups--Players 6, Players 8, Players 10, Girls 14, Girls 17, Girls 19, Men’s and Ladies Open, 36 above and 42 will be in the USC field.

Organizers were forced to hold the tournament over two weekends and in two venues since they couldn’t use the Cebu City Sports Center, which allows for night matches.

This year, the national 14-Under team—the Little Azkals—will see action, while 47 other out-of-town teams have signed up.

This year will also see the return of age group powerhouse Don Bosco Technology Center, which failed to compete last year due to a conflict of schedule, while the University of San Carlos Girls are expected to defend their titles in the Girls 17, Girls 19 and Women’s Open divisions.

However, Paref-Springdale won’t be playing as it is serving a ban from Cebu Football Association (CFA)-sanctioned tournaments.

“This is already our ninth year and you can see how we have grown from the number of teams since our first year,” said tournament director Neil Montesclaros.

The Cup started in 2003 with only 150 teams and this year, the Men’s Open alone has more than half of the total tally of the first tournament with 80 teams.

“The Thirsty Cup had been consistently growing as they continue to provide a venue for players to enjoy the game. They have also been instrumental in the popularization of football in the city,” said Eugene Ynclino III of the CFA, which is sanctioning the event.

So teams won’t be having any trouble with schedules, the CFA will only have the Under 19 and Men’s Open division for the Aboitiz Cup this weekend and won’t hold any games next week.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 09, 2012.

Thirsty Cup - Lost Boys find glory

VALENTINO Calvo played the hero’s role for Lost Boys as they defeated Paref-Springdale B, 1-0, in the Boys 17 championships of the 8th Thirsty Football Cup at the Cebu City Sports Center yesterday.


Just as the game seemed headed to a shootout, Calvo scored in the nick of time.

Calvo’s first shot was deflected by the keeper but the ball went back his way and he struck the rebound from pointblank range for the lone goal of the match.

Lost Boys keeper Leonard Tan was named the MVP.

The Lost Boys are composed players from Don Bosco Technology Center, who are the defending champions of the Boys 17 division. DBTC didn’t field any entry this year but some of its players decided for form teams of their own.

More from Thirsty Cup : Sun Star Cebu

Hard work pays off for USC ladies

THE hard work that Maritoni Trebol and Samantha Chan Su went through paid off when the two were named the Most Valuable Players in the 8th Thirsty Football Cup over the weekend at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The two played for the 17-Under and 19-Under girls teams of the University of San Carlos and won both divisions.

Trebol, 17, who started playing football at the age of 10 with the encouragement from her father and coach Elying Toledo, grabbed the MVP award for the 19-Under division.

More Sun Star Cebu

Thirsty Cup - Paref foils Ateneo

By Edri K. Aznar

Saturday, February 5, 2011

PAREF-Springdale B got the breaks of the game to beat the talented Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), 2-0, in a shootout to win the Boys 12 title of the 8th Thirsty Football Cup yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.


“We respect them and their talent but luck was just on our side,” Paref-Springdale coach Willy Caballero told Sun.Star Cebu after the match.

In the shootout, goalkeeper Gabriel Villacin set the tone.


Villacin gripped the ball, closed his eyes and mumbled something before setting it down. His missile of a shot ripped past the keeper, while Ateneo missed. Jimmy Hosen scored again and ADMU misfired, paving the way for the win.


Villacin and Hosen were named the Co-MVPs.


“It was a hard-earned win because we had only little time to practice because of the exams,” said Caballero.


At the beginning of the championship match, Paref-Springdale-A got a scare as ADMU seemed to have scored a quick goal just seconds into the match. However, after assessing the situation, the referee waived the goal off because the shot came after the ball hit the top net and bounced back into the pitch. The match ended scoreless at the end of regulation for a penalty shootout.


Caballero said ADMU is a very talented team and that his squad had a difficult time against them.


“We put our heart into it from the eliminations, to the championships,” he said.


Meanwhile, the visiting SG Bank FC (SGBFC) of Dumaguete City beat Bright Academy (BA) Red and brought home the Players 8 title in another shootout win, 2-0.


SGBFC entered the finals match full of confidence because of a 9-0 domination over Hijas de Jesus in the semifinals. BA-Red, on the other hand, earned a ticket to championships by edging out Los Amigos FC, 2-1.


SGBFC and BA-Red were tied 2-2 at the end of regulation and in the shootout, Bright Red missed its first two shots.


Kenneth Villarin was named MVP.


In the other divisions, Ateneo de Cebu (AdC) won the Girls 12 category, while the University of San Carlos (USC) retained its title in the Girls 19 division. Mary Rose Du and Maritoni Trebol were named the MVPs in the Girls 12 and 19 divisions, respectively.


University of Southern Philippines Foundation bagged the Boys 19 title by defeating USC, 1-0, through an own goal. Laurel Jobel Reyes took the MVP honors.

San Carlos City dethroned Players 10 defending champions Paref-Springdale, 1-0 rout, while San Roque FC won the Players 6 crown by crushing Bright Minds, 3-0. Brian Engasta got the MVP title in the Players 10 while Lancelot Marco Colina got the nod in the P6 division.


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 06, 2011.

More match reports : Cebu Daily News

Cebu Football : B-Meg to join Thirsty Cup

By Mike Limpag

B-MEG will field two teams in the Thirsty Football Cup which kicks off tomorrow at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Inspired by the success of the Philippine Azkals and the growing popularity of football in the country, B-Meg will field men’s open and a 19-Under teams in the three-day football festival.

Aside from joining the Thirsty Cup, B-Meg is also committed to intensify its support to football by holding clinics, tournaments and the formation of its own team that will carry its corporate name to various competitions in the country.


“The Azkals’ popularity inspires us to form a team of neophyte players. Like the Azkals, the B-Meg team is an underdog but is determined to make history in the sports,” said B-Meg Vis-Min area sales manager Jojo Lindo said in a press release.


The B-Meg team is composed of players from Bohol, San Carlos City and Cebu and will be coached by University of the Visayas head coach Eddie Buot and managed by Alvin R. Mangubat.


For this year’s edition of the Thirsty Cup, Cebu City’s longest-running football festival, 242 teams have signed up.


The premier Men’s Open attracted the largest entries with 60 teams, with football powerhouse Don Bosco Alumni fielding four squads.


The Ladies Open also attracted 16 entries, including out-of-town entries Foundation University, Norfa and Xavier University.


In the age group divisions, the Boys 12 got the most entries with 23, while the Boys 17 division got 22. The Players 8 and 10 division also have 19 and 22 entries, respectively. (PR)


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 03, 2011.

210 squads enlist for Thirsty Football Cup

Cebu Daily News


AROUND 210 teams have signed up for the 8th Thirsty Football Cup, a 7-a-side football festival to be held at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), from Feb. 4 to 6.

Neil Montesclaros, one of the organizers, said he cannot confirm how many teams of the 210 are coming from out of town.

Since its first undertaking in 2004, the Thirsty Cup has always gathered the most number of teams from out of town.

The tournament will have 14 divisions namely players 6, players 8, players 10, boys 12, girls 12, boys 14, boys 17, girls 17, boys 19, girls 19, ladies, men, 36 above and 42 above.

All divisions will follow the 7-a-side format with 15 minutes per match expect for the players 6, 8 and 10 which will follow the 5-a-side format with 12 minutes to play per game. All teams in each division will be divided into brackets.

For divisions which have one bracket only, eliminations will follow a single round robin with the top two teams contesting the division title. Divisions with more than one bracket will have a single round per bracket.

All participating teams are advised to be in the playing venue before the first game of the day even if their match is scheduled later in the day since organizers may adjust schedules as the need arises. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON

Cebu Football - 8th Thirsty Cup kicks off next month

THE Thirsty Football Festival returns for another edition on Feb. 4 to 6 at the Cebu City Sports Center.

“The Thirsty Football festival was a trailbalzer. It was the first seven-a-side football festival in Cebu...Now football festivals are sprouting like mushrooms.

Being the first, the ground rules of the Thirsty Football Festival has become the basis for various festivals that followed,” organizer Neil Montesclaros said in a press release.

This year, the Thirsty Football Festivall will have 14 divisions, all to be played at the CCSC.

The youngest age groups are the Players 6, 8 and 10, which will be a five-a-side competition over 12 minutes.

The other divisions are the Boys and Girls 12, 14, 17 and 19, the ladies and men’s opens and the 36 and 42-above.

These divisions will have seven-a-side teams and 15-minute matches.

Registration fee for all divisions is P500 and teams may register through 0917-6244853. The deadline for registration is Jan. 19.

Some of the teams expected to join the festival are age group powerhouse Don Bosco, Paref-Springdale, San Roque Football Club and Abellana National School.

“Don Bosco, SRFC, and Springdale are the most successful teams. They have won more trophies than the rest and they fielded more teams in many divisions in general. But many other clubs are catching up,” Montesclaros said. (PR)

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on January 17, 2011.

Cebu Football -Thirsty Cup Pictures

Pics from flicr.com . Search there for many other pics from Thirsty Cup

Cebu Football - QCU-B dethrones USC in Thirsty Cup football

CEBU, Philippines - The Queen City United Football Club–B weaved one big surprise after it dethroned early title favorite University of San Carlos (USC) to capture the men’s open championship of the 7th Thirsty Cup football tournament the other day at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The Jose Mari Colmenares-mentored Queen City United FC-B tamed USC, 1-0, courtesy of the game-killing goal of Masahiko Yagi.

During the early minutes of the game, QCU and USC both employed tight defense resulting into a scoreless draw at halftime. As the match progressed, Martin Bontia issued a nifty assist to Yagi at the center area. Yagi succeeded in punching a goal via upper center kick to the delight of his comrades and the small throng of well-wishers.

“The game was so unpredictable. We were not expecting at first that we will get the title since we’re facing the defending champions. But when we scored a goal by Yagi, it served as the morale-booster of the team to strengthen their defense so as not to allow USC to score,” said Colmenares.

“The fight was really good and the players had a great performance since we practice thrice a week and they just came from the Aboitiz Cup. I guess they’re really conditioned for this tournament. We prayed and worked hard for this,” Colmenares added.

Queen City United FC proceeded into the final round after booting out Don Bosco Alumni Football Club, while USC advanced after terminating Philippine Army.

On the other hand, the visiting teams from Dumaguete City and Iligan reigned supreme in the ladies open and 36-above classes, respectively.

Dumaguete’s Foundation University Football Club secured the ladies open tiara after outlasting University of St. La Salle (USLS)- Bacolod, 1-0, while Iligan FC nipped the JCAD-sponsored San Roque booters, 2-1, to bag the 36-above crown. (FREEMAN NEWS)

Freeman News/Philstar

Cebu Football - Still in the hunt (Thirsty Cup)

By Edri K. Aznar

DEFENDING champion University of San Carlos (USC) survived the first round of the tournament as it entered the round-of-16 of the Men’s Open division in the 7th Thirsty Football Cup after knocking out San Roque FC (SRFC).

USC edged out SRFC, 1-0, following a lone goal by ace striker Kyle Soriano.

Soriano banged in the rebound from point-blank range in the ninth minute after the first shot bounced off the SRFC keeper.

However, yesterday’s contest came at a cost to them as their keeper Paolo Pascual got injured during their morning game.

Pascual, who was the starting keeper for the Philippines’ Under 19 team last year, dislocated his right clavicle after getting crushed by a striker in a scramble.

The other teams that advanced to the round-of-16 were Queen City United (QCU) A, QCU B, Don Bosco Alumni C, Don Bosco Alumni D, Consolacion FC, San Roque Royal United, Vudu A, Jcad, Toledo FC, Leyte FC, Team 53, Magone FC, Boys High, Tsuneishi and Uptown United.

The round-of-16, as well as the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship matches were set to be played late last night.

On the other hand, Rodney Orale’s newly-formed team, Samareno-Erco, added another crown to its winning run in the Cebu football scene as it won the 40-and-Above division after beating Consolacion United FC, 1-0.

Former national team member Glenn Ramos scored the only goal of the game for Samareño-Erco in the finals.

Samareño-Erco also won the 38-and-Above category of the recently finished Aboitiz Football Cup.

Defending champion Paref-Springdale retained its title in the Players 10 division after beating Don Bosco Yellow, 3-2, in a penalty shootout.

Paref-Springdale earned a slot in the finals after edging out Giuseppe FC, 2-1, while Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) Yellow defeated sister team Don Bosco White, 1-0, in the semifinal round.

DBTC had more luck in the younger divisions as it grabbed the crown in the Boys 17 category after crushing visiting Foundation University, 3-0.

Giuseppe FC also bagged the trophy of the Girls 17 division after escaping through a 1-0 penalty shootout thriller over Sta. Rita.


Sun Star Cebu

Pages: Why the 7th Thirsty Cup scores a kick

By : John Pages

FOOTBALL is popular in Cebu. This I learned the past 36 hours. When I entered the Cebu City Sports Center last Friday night, hundreds of pairs of spiked shoes and knee-high socks greeted my eyes. Yesterday morning, it was the same soccer-frenzy sight: girls kicking, boys sprinting towards the steel goal, coaches shouting, goalies jumping to stop a score…


The world’s No.1 sport is widespread and celebrated in the Philippines’ No.1 city. Take the 7th Thirsty Football Festival, a smorgasbord of 209 teams and 2,500 participants. All of them Cebuanos? No. Many arrived on our shores coming from Tubigon, Dumaguete, Tanjay, San Carlos, Iligan, Tacloban and Bacolod. Outside Manila, this event is possibly the largest gathering of footballers.

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