MANILA – Negrense booters were among the stars as Makati Football Club Girls’ Under-14 squad finished with a silver medal in the recently-concluded Singapore International Youth Cup or SingaCup.
Pontevedra, Negros Occidental native Sofia Galera was the team’s top scorer, while Bacolod City native Ushin Valencia as well as Maeva Javier added two goals each.
Galera’s province mate Joyce Gemberva, Javier’s fellow Bacolodnon Danicka Moleje as well as Cebuana booter Jelena Soon and Ariana Gementiza also made their impression for the squad.
According to Makati FC CEO and director SeLu Lozano, it was by design that their U-14 girls football squad were composed of players from Negros Occidental, which is said to be one of the football hotbeds in the country.
“Our academy has stood for over 40 years and I wish to continue what my dad has started in giving opportunities for the youth to fulfill their dream of becoming world class football athletes,” Lozano said.
“Creating a winning team takes a lot of dedication and hard work. We wish that one day we will be able to align our program with the national federation so we can widen our reach and help develop our local athletes to give them better opportunities to maximize their potential,” he added.
Makati FC Girls U-14 squad had a strong start in the tournament as they defeated Northern New South Wales (2-1), Australian-based squad Fremantle (2-1), and Football West (5-0).
The Philippines-based football club, however, could not complete their impressive run as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the same Northern New South Wales team they beat earlier.
Makati FC, the longest running club based in Metro Manila, competed in four divisions and brought five teams to compete in the November 5-12 which made a return after three years.
The Boys U8 squad landed in fourth place, with Pontevedra’s Renzel Grace Gella leading the way. Van dan Benia, also from Pontivedra, and Davao native Sean Pinion played with the Boys U10 team which placed second place./PN
