IT WAS this time last year that members of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), then playing for Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association, had a disagreement with their coach that led to them transferring schools.
There were some testy period, especially when USJ-R faced DBTC, but I think relationships (for some at least) have been repaired. But I think this summer there’s going to be more time to repair relationships that was broken during that Cviraa meet as the players finally got what they failed to get last year—a stint in the Palarong Pambansa.
USJ-R--with three reinforcements--won the high school crown over Cebu Province while DBTC won the elementary title over Mandaue. So both Cebu City teams will be representing Region 7 in the football event. Or as my friend Eric Nacorda would put it, an all Bosconian squad since you can never be a “former Bosconian.”
What a feat it would be if both teams win the Palaro title.
Mandaue City too will get a chance to defend its futsal title after winning the Cviraa crown. It’s a different Mandaue team from the one that won the Palaro title last year. Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC), which won the Palaro title in Vigan last year, failed to advance to the regional meet after losing to Labogon in the City meet. Still they have four players in the squad so I guess that’s some consolation for the team that has faced some major changes since winning it all last year.
Cebu City, which I thought would win it all, failed to get past Mandaue in the semifinals.
PFF AUTHORITY. There’s an interesting development in the football scene, though it happened in Mindanao. The Cagayan FA held an election without ratifying its new bylaws, which was a violation of the Philippine Football Federation mandate. As a result, the PFF has decided that the Cagayan FA has “ceased to exist.”
Why the officers decided to go that route only they themselves know. As a result of their action, Cagayan won’t be able to join next month’s Festival of Football.
I remember there was a clamor once for our FA to hold an election but that was delayed as the new bylaws was being prioritized. It’s a good thing our officers had the common sense to follow the PFF mandate.
As to Cagayan football, well, at least the local stakeholders now know what to do to save their community.
Remove the officers.