DON Bosco Technical College (DBTC) claimed bragging rights as the best football school in Cebu after beating rival Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) 4-3 in a thrilling penalty shootout at Thirsty presents “El Clasico” on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
The much-anticipated alumni match was neck-and-neck, with both sides failing to hit the back of the net in regulation time, sending the game into a penalty shootout.
SHS-AdC and DBTC traded goals from their first three kickers. Cebu FC defenders ER Orale and Kamil Amirul, and Agustine Roa converted for DBTC, while Manila Digger FC striker Kintaro Miyagi, Vinson Nierre, and Cebu FC midfielder Leo Maquiling scored for SHS-AdC.
It was in the penalty shootout where Maharlika Taguig FC goalkeeper shone the brightest, reminiscent of his heroics in his high school days with DBTC.
With the match tied at 3-3, Miguel Kwan stepped up for SHS-AdC and struck the ball to the right side, but Balobo guessed it perfectly and denied him a goal.
Carsten Pumajera then gave DBTC the lead after converting his penalty kick.
The pressure was now on SHS-AdC because another missed shot would lose them the match.
John Veloso struck toward the left, but once again, Balobo caught the ball and sealed the win for DBTC, 4-3.
DBTC will keep the “El Clasico” trophy until the two sides meet again next year for the annual alumni football match.
HS, elementary games
DBTC also won over SHS-AdC in the high school and elementary matches.
In the high school matchup, DBTC defeated SHS-AdC, 2-1. Jacob Go gave DBTC an early lead in the ninth minute before Marco Ouano responded with an equalizer.
With time winding down, Go hit his second goal in the 70th minute to win the game for DBTC.
Meanwhile, DBTC walked away with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over SHS-AdC in the elementary match.
Dwayne Dy gave DBTC the early lead in the 20th minute, but Aaron Malachi Lee leveled the score 19 minutes later. The match ultimately went to a penalty shootout, where DBTC converted four goals to grab the victory. / EKA