BAROTAC Nuevo ruled the 2018 Pintaflores U16 National Invitational Football Cup after edging out fellow Iloilo-based squad Central Philippine University 3-2 at the SJRI Football Field in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
Carl Franz Mahinay delivered the go-ahead goal from the penalty area for Barotac Nuevo to clinch the title in the tournament held as part of the annual Pintaflores Festival.
Mahinay scored the opening goal for Barotac Nuevo in the 15th minute but CPU quickly countered with back-to-back conversions to snatch the advantage 2-1.
Just before halftime Barotac Nuevo managed to tie the count 2-2 with Adrian Diaz eluding the defense of CPU. This was followed by another hit from Mahinay for 3-2.
Mentored by Domingo Subo, Barotac Nuevo eked out the hard-earned victory despite being decimated to 10 players in the opening half after Roque Empleo Jr. was ejected with a red card.
Empleo may have been thrown out of the field but he was still named the tournamentās Most Valuable Player, while Diaz was hailed the Best Midfielder. Mahinay was adjudged the Best Striker.
Other members of the Barotac Nuevo team given individual citations were James Patrick Saonoy (Best Goalkeeper) and Edwin Doctora (Best Defender).
On their way to the championship round, Barotac Nuevo ousted Holy Cross of Bukidnon while CPU beat University of St. La Salle-Bacolod./PN
