ON Valentines Day, the football gods smiled kindly on Giuseppe FC. Facing juggernaut Don Bosco Football Club in the finals of the Aboitiz Cup Boys 14 Division, the cramp-stricken Giuseppe FC bagged the title after winning the shootout, 9-8, becoming champions a year after failing to get out of the group stage of Cebu’s biggest tournament.
It was a perfect matchup pitting the two teams that went undefeated and didn’t concede a single goal in the group stage with Giuseppe scoring 18 and Don Bosco hitting 19 goals.
“It was a very intense game and we had a lot of players going down because of cramps,” said Giuseppe FC coach Hayato Ayabe.
Ayabe said Don Bosco had the most chances, while their team also managed to threaten the Bosconians as both teams played to a scoreless draw in both regulation and extra time.
Both teams went 5-for-5 in the shootout, with Alexander Rayo, Mikhail Pazon, Cyril Cabintoy, Castor Inting, and No. 92 converting for Don Bosco and Darl Matthe Pantinople, Jhames Gavas, No. 36, No. 9. and Kening Chen scoring for Giuseppe.
In sudden death, Christian Wain Felice and and Mael Christin converted both chances before the DBTC keeper saved Josea Mabini’s attempt.
However, John Kyle Losaria showed he was equal to the task and fended off Jansy Ocanada’s attempt to extend the shootout.
After Anthony James Abarquez and Marc Diaz made their kicks for DBTC and No. 86 and No. 39 made theirs for Giuseppe, it became a battle of the keepers.
Losario converted his spot kick while the DBTC keeper skied his shot, sealing the win for Giuseppe.
Losario was named the Best Keeper of the division, while Gavas got the nod for the MVP. James Carmello Torrilo won the Best Defender award, while Ezethomas Andrew Omega got the nod for the Best Midfielder award.
Meanwhile, in the battle for third place, Don Bosco Liloan defeated San Carlos School Cebu, 2-0, with a goal from Angelo Dingding and an own goal from Apoolo Ruedas.