AFTER an impressive run in the eliminations and a tough semifinal match, the Negros Occidental Football Association yielded to eventual champions National Capital Region FA, 1-nil during the inaugural Philippine Football Federation U15 Boys National Championship last yesterday, February 28, at the PFF National Training Center.
Dominic Tom nailed a header from a cross by substitute Rodrigo Marinas III in the 96th minute to complete their clean sweep of the competition.
NCRFA skipper Tom was named as tournament’s Most Valuable Player and top scorer with 9 goals.
Likewise, NCRFA goalkeeper Jose Antonio Gonzales was awarded the best goalkeeper and Martin Joshua Merino as the best defender while NOFA’s Dominic Austin Dreyfus was adjudged as the best midfielder of the competition.
NOFA head coach Roland Allan Treyes felt thankful and proud of what they have achieved and how the players play every match from the Visayas qualifying, the 2nd round Luzon qualifying, and up to the finals. “They gave their time, effort and lots of sacrifices in training. We have great respect to our opponent all of them are competitive,” he said. “We just enjoyed the opportunity Boss Ricky [Yanson] has given us and for believing what the team can achieve. He just wants us to learn every result of our matches. We just move on and learned from it.”
“I want also to acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices of all the parents of my players sending their children to train and play with us. With our success, we all give the credits to them,” he stressed.
Treyes stressed that the runner-up finish is not bad at all as the team showed how to play not just as our feet but the heart of Negrosanon. “In every situation, God has a golden plan ahead. We leave it on Him and just play for Jesus. We lose and win, we will train and regain,” he said.
PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes and PFL commissioner Mikhail Torre awarded the various trophies to the players and teams.
The PFF U15 Boys National Championship is a youth development program of PFF with help from the FIFA Youth Development Projects–Philippines.