By Jerome Lagunzad
Lucas Andan scored the go-ahead goal early on as Manila’s One La Salle defeated hometown bet Dynamic FC, 1-0, to claim the Negros Occidental Football Association Under-13 football crown in Talisay City.
Andan wasted little time as he found the net in the opening minute with a nifty strike from the box before One La Salle, composed of top players from La Salle’s Alabang and Greenhills campuses, held its ground on the defensive end to foil the repeated attacks from its Bacolod City-based counterpart.
“Dynamic FC are a very tough team with dangerous strikers. We prepared hard for this one and are very pleased with the result,” said One La Salle coach Dave Tudence.
The event was hosted by NOFA President Ricky Yanson, whose family has been supporting the sport very close to their hearts.
North Cotabato’s MARFA, beaten by One La Salle in the semifinals, restored some measure of pride by scoring a 5-2 victory over Bacolod City’s Green Global in the battle for third.
One La Salle also took home the top individual awards in the 18-team tourney organised by NOFA president Ricky Yanson. Jared Peña emerged as the Most Valuable Player and the Best Midfielder while teammate Vigo Herce was adjudged the Best Defender.
Dynamic FC’s Ashley Sacapano bagged the Best Goalkeeper award while Green Global’s Kian Catoto and MARFA’s Almagne Sarip shared the Best Strikers honors.
Other teams from Manila which also joined the four-day football tournament were Ateneo de Manila, which sent two teams, Malaya FC and Southridge.
