Malaya FC rules YFL tourney, top players cop awards

WELCOME DELAY David Price of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with The Commissioner’s Trophy during the first quarter of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden on Nov. 1. The champions’ appearance caused an extended time out midway through the first quarter, when Red Sox manager Alex Cora carried the World Series championship trophy onto the court, followed by his players. —AFP

JPV-Malaya Football Club (Malaya FC) delivered a dominant performance in the recent season 2 of the Youth Football League (YFL) to lift the championship trophy in the U11 and U15 categories.

The youth development arm of JPV Marikina FC, Malaya FC also emerged first runner-up in U13 and women’s U17. In division 2, Malaya FC won the plate championship in U7 and U9, first runner-up in U17, and second runner-up in the 2004 U15.

In the hotly contested U15 category, Malaya FC outplayed 14 other teams to win not only the gold but also Most Valuable Player honors for midfielder Jenil Gorre and Best goalkeeper for Lance Jeter Bencio.

In early October this year, the same U15 team reached the finals of the Borneo Cup, outgunning youth clubs from Malaysia and Hong Kong and bowing only to Singapore.

In the U11 age group that also saw a total of 15 teams, MVP honors went to Malaya FC striker Ralph Valentine Capis, while Malaya FC’s Simon Elijah Soco was awarded Best GK.

A total of 81 teams in 8 categories played in season 2 of YFL, which is now on its second year.

In its website, YFL said “the league aims to provide organized football competitions throughout the year, catering to youth clubs and players looking for more opportunities to play beyond their school varsities.”

Malaya FC fielded teams in seven of the eight age-group categories.