The Abellana National School and the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC) Cebu Inc. opened their campaigns in the Palarong Pambansa Football limited face-to-face tournament with narrow victories at the Cebu City Sports Center on May 4, 2022.
After a scoreless first half, ANS relied on the 41st-minute goal of Mark Lester Zafra to beat the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, 1-0, while the 20th-minute goal of Gianrenzo Custado was enough to lift DBTC-Cebu Inc. over sister team Don Bosco Boys Home-Liloan, 1-0.
With three points each, DBTC-Cebu and ANS now share the lead in the four-team event. However, the games on May 5 should separate the two as the early leaders will face in the first game at 7 a.m., while Ateneo will go for its first win against DBBH at 8:30.
In the afternoon, DBTC-Cebu Inc. will close out its campaign against Ateneo at 2 p.m., while DBBH will face Abellana at 3:30 p.m.
The top two teams will face off for the title, while the bottom two will battle for third place.
Meanwhile, in the girls friendly game, Mandaue–composed of players from SHS-Ateneo and Labogon High School outlasted Team Cebu City, 4-3, in a penalty shootout.
Girls football is a demo sport in the bubble tournament as the Department of Education is eyeing to include the event in its calendar for next year. That would be a timely move as the Malditas, the women’s national football team, will make their debut in the Fifa Women’s World Cup in 2023.