AFTER figuring in intense rivalries in high school, some standouts of football powerhouses Don Bosco Technological Center (DBTC), Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Paref-Springdale have banded together to form a new squad—the Cebu Queen City United-DonSacreDale.
And so far, they have carried their winning tradition in the new team, going 2-0 in the Aboitiz Football Cup men’s open division after their latest win, 4-2, over Crazy Horse. In their first game, they routed the Don Bosco Alumni, 3-1.
Among the members are three players who grew up loving the game, Leonard Tan, Luke Pomeroy Veloso, and Nicko Villacin.
Tan, who played for Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) and has been playing the game since third grade, said that they planned to create a team for the Aboitiz cup, getting the current team’s winger, Karlo Villamor, and keeper Tristom Dela Serna, to organize the roster and sponsorships.
“When we graduated in college, we were no longer connected with any teams, so we decided to create one. We were dominant during our high school days, why not create a team for the men’s open?” said Tan.
Once the toughest of foes, the team didn’t have a problem jelling.
“Cebuano man gud, ang playing style pagdako nimo, pari-pariha ra,” said Veloso, an Ateneo alumnus.
Tan, Pomeroy, and Villacin played football as early as their elementary years; and Villacin, who started when he was still in first grade, admitted how their rivalry was intense.
That rivalry is also a plus factor for them now.
“We basically grew up with each other, so we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. And there is always that bond, so it’s easy when you put the team together because we basically grew up improving from each other,” said Villacin, who went to De La Salle University after graduating from Paref-Springdale.
Like brothers, the three had a little trouble recalling whose team dominated among the three and being good sports, the trio admitted that it was always 50-50.
For Tan, it was his school’s rivalry with Springdale that he remembers most, adding that Ateneo wasn’t that strong during his time.
“Mostly it’s the City Olympics and then Milo tournaments, those are the games I remember because we always meet in the semifinals or finals,” said Tan, who had a stint in the Philippine Football League as Stallions FC’s keeper.
“We’ve been competing for a long time, from the Under 10, Under 12...up to the Under 19,” said Veloso.
As for the team, Tan said they still have lots of room to improve on.
“There’s potential, but we still need to work on our defense, we’re still a little bit disorganized but we’re getting the hang of it,” said Tan.
And like most men’s open teams in Cebu, it’s the lack of time for practice that hinders them.
“We only train like what, once (or) twice a week? I think we’re doing pretty well in terms of fitness and playing together as a team,” said Villacin, who finished entrepreneurship in DLSU and turned down offers from Global Cebu and the Stallions to work for his family.
As for the current target, the team wants no less than the current title favorite, multi-time champion Leylam FC.
“We also want to compete against Leylam, knowing that they are one of the best. We have to compete with them, we have to work hard, so we’re preparing for that. Hopefully we get to the semis or even the finals. Hoping for the best,” said Tan.
Aside from the three, the other members of the team are Tristom Travels dela Serna Romero, Dave Paez, Ted Belo, Ethan Decena, JM Kwan, Jun Encorporado, Karlo Villamor, Lyon Valenzuela, Marc Felicilda, Marcus Congmon, Matt Minoza, Miggy Mongaya, Miguel Caindec, Miguel Kwan, Nicholas Villacin, Peter Pena, Pomeroy Mark Veloso, Rafi Lipardo, Rolan Paloma, Vinson Nery and Will Villaver.