THE Sacred Heart School-Jesuits (SHS-J) football squad grabbed its third title in the Rizal Football Association (Rifa) Cup as it topped the Under-12 division last weekend at the Ateneo de Manila football pitch.
After succumbing to Southridge last year, SHS-J bounced back and won its third Rifa Cup crown in four years with a 1-0 victory over Del Monte.
SHS-J crushed home team Ateneo de Manila, 3-1.
SHS-J finished the elimination round undefeated with nine points from four wins and a draw.
The Cebuano team edged Southridge, 1-0; routed Ateneo de Davao, 4-1; won over Colegeio de San Agustin, 1-0; overwhelmed Binan-Laguna, 8-0; and drew with HEDCEN, 1-1.
In 2007, the SHS-J edged Southridge, 3-2, in a penalty shootout, and kept the title with a 3-1 win over Colegio de San Agustin in 2008.
The SHS-J Under-12 football team is composed of team captain Marko Veloso, Kiko Villamor, Oliver Booth, Isagani Fernandez, Jerby Bernaldez, Matoy Reyes, Kyle Silawan, JM Acebedo-Kwan, Jun Carlo Canlas, Kenzo Tanaka, Inigo Ugarte and Wilmer Lopez, and is mentored by coach Lito Ramos.