The debut of Dynamic Herb Cebu FC in the national club football scene has been nothing short of impressive.
In three cup matches last week, Cebu FC conceded only one goal, and though it didn’t score any, the club came close to hitting the back of the net several times.
The newcomers surprised the veteran clubs with their fitness, discipline, organization and gutsy plays.
That could only mean one thing: the addition of Cebu FC to the country’s roster of professional football clubs in the Philippines Football League is a most welcome development.
But more importantly, Cebu now has its own top-tier club it can be proud of.
Football fans will understand how massive this development is for us Cebuanos.
And I am pretty sure that Club Chairman Ugur Tasci, Head Coach Oliver “Bingbing” Colina, the players and staff are all in high spirits as well with the club’s solid performances.
What a relief it must have been for everyone in Cebu FC who had to face months of uncertainty.
The club’s apprehensions stemmed from the status of the PFL owing to the pandemic: Will there be a league this year or not?
The 2021 league wasn’t to be, but fortunately for Cebu FC, its fans and the rest of the football community, the third edition of the Copa Paulino Alcantara, or PFL Cup, happened.
It wasn’t the ideal setting and setup, but the Cup made up for it with all the excitement and grit the participating clubs brought to the pitch.
Kaya Iloilo FC won the Cup for the second time, the Azkals Development Team settled for a runner-up finish, while Stallion Laguna FC took third place.
But the biggest winner of the tournament was Cebu FC, even if it didn’t lift a trophy, even it fell short by the tiniest of margins in the battle for third.
And yet The Gentle Giants exceeded expectations.
At a time when Philippine football is on life support, what an inspiration this club from Cebu has become, especially to many other football communities all over the country that dream of having a homegrown professional club.
The future is bright for Dynamic Herb Cebu FC, and there is no doubt in my mind that they will become cup and league champions one day. As long as the PFL continues to exist, it will happen.