Bukidnon FA is Luzon Cup champs. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Bukidnon Football Association blanked One La Salle, 2-0, to seize the overall championship of the first Luzon Cup Under 12 Football Tournament at Jose V. Yap Sports and Recreational Complex in San Jose, Tarlac.
The Luzon Cup is the third of a series of football tournaments spearheaded by Negros Occidental Football Association with the Central Luzon Football Association, Philippine Sports Commission, DepEd Tarlac and local city governments for Under-12 / Under-13 boys.
The NOFA Cup was held last summer while the Mindanao Cup, where Bukidnon FA also emerged as champions, was held last October.
One La Salle Salle settled for first runner-up in Luzon Cup’s First Division (Cup), Rizal FA Quezon City second runner-up and Masbate FA the third runner-up.
Meanwhile, Cordillera FA–Baguio secured the Division 1 Plate Championship, with Central Bicol Regional FA as first runner-up, Laguna FA as second runner-up and Youth FA Muntinlupa as third runner-up.
In the Second Division, Pangasinan United FC was crowned champions. Tuguegarao City Football Club wound up at second, first runner-up; Camarines Norte United third and Central Luzon FA– Tarlac fourth.
Bukidnon FA’s Jun Dominique Melig bagged the Best Goalkeeper citation while Jimm Leowell Fabela the Best Defender and Most Valuable Player. One La Salle’s Fritz Kenzo Chua was chosen as the Best Midfielder while RIFA QC’s Filbert Martin Tacardon got Best Striker with 27 goals.
A number of teams, like those from Camarines Sur, Pangasinan, and Tuguegarao traveled by land for many hours to be part of the tournament.
“The Luzon Cup is very good for local teams, especially for those of us coming from North Luzon. The level of competition is very high which is what the kids need,” said Pangasinan United FC head coach Floyd Jefferson.