Western Visayas proved as one of the best producers of talented booters in the country.
This, after Negros Occidental and Iloilo finished the podium in the PFF Under-19 Boys National Football Championship on Saturday, June 11, at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Claiming the title, Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) pulled off a 1-0 escape over National Capital Region Football Association (NCRFA).
Kyle Francis Alipo-on served as hero of the game for NOFA as he took advantage of NCRFA’s defensive miscue to drain the go ahead goal at 117th minute mark.
The native of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental said all their sacrifices were paid off after winning the coveted title.
Three NOFA players were also recognized during the awarding ceremony- Rohderick Rodriguez as Most Valuable Player, John Marcellana as Best Goal Keeper and Francis Madamecila as Best Midfielder.
Two members of the NCRFA crew, on the other hand, were also cited – John Jalique as the Top Goal Scorer and Haren de Gracia as Best Defender.
To recall, NOFA advanced to the championship match after pulling off a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Football Association (RFA). They entered the gold medal game by hacking out a 1-0 triumph over Iloilo Football Association (Iloilo FA) in the other semifinals game last Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo FA ranked second runner-up after a 1-0 win over SOCCSKSARGEN RFA in the battle-for-third place encounter.
Central Philippine University standout Selwyn Nickos Mamon’s lone goal header at the second minute mark sealed the Ilonggos victory.
