THOUGH both teams admit to less than ideal preparations, both the Negros Oriental Football Association (Nofa) and host Central Visayas Football Association (CVFA) expressed readiness to start their campaign in the Philippine Football Federation Boys 15 tournament.
Nofa takes on host CVFA on June 29, 2019 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) for their first game in the three-month long tournament that will see each team play each other twice in a home and away format.
Aside from the two, the other teams in the Visayas elimination are the Eastern Visayas Football Association (EVFA), Panay Football Association (formerly Iloilo FA) and the Negros Oriental Football Association.
Formed only this week, the 36-strong Nofa team is culled from players from Escalante, Silay City, Don Bosco Victorias, University of Negros Oriental Recoletos, University of St. La Salle and West Negros College.
“It’s a very tough tournament and we have to adjust our schedule because some of our players have school-based teams,” said Nofa head coach Ronald Allan Treyes during the event launching at Oranje Restaurant in Parkmall on June 28, 2019.
Though the CVFA team had a tryout last April, it didn’t have a long time to practice as some of the players also competed in other tournaments for their own teams.
Headed by coach Martin Ferrer, the CVFA team is composed of players from Don Bosco Boys Home, Don Bosco Technological Center, St. Theresa’s College, Balamban FC and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.
“We know the Visayas Group is a very difficult group and both teams will be fighting for the top two spots. So, this will be an El Classico in the Visayas,” said Ferrer.
The top two teams of the double round robin elimination will advance to the national finals.
On the other hand, CVFA president Rodney Orale is thankful for the unified support of the board for the event, which he hopes will bring back the interest of the community in age group competition.
“I hope more people will help this program since the PFF (Philippine Football Association) is now focusing on the grassroots. This will be a challenge for the players in Cebu, to go to the nationals,” said Orale.
The CVFA estimates its’ going to need almost P400,000 for its participation in the tournament.
Orale also asked for understanding from the visiting team since the local organizers also have a short time to prepare the CCSC.
“We tried looking at Ateneo but we decided to have it at CCSC. I know the field is not that good and I am asking for understanding from our visitors,” said Orale.
However, Nofa assistant coach Ian Clemente is used to the quirks of the CCSC pitch, having played for Leylam FC in the Aboitiz Cup.
Coach Treyes, who also serves as the secretary general of Nofa, also thanked the CVFA for hosting them. (ML)