Players of the Erco Team B celebrate after winning the men’s open title.
TONEE DESPOJO
Erco Team B led the list of surprise winners in the 4th Sinulog Football Festival, which came to an end on Sunday at the San Roque Football field and Aboitiz Football Field.
Erco Team B reigned supreme in the men’s open division at the Aboitiz Football field after beating Tabor Hill, 2-0.
En route to the finals, Erco defeated Kamputhaw FC, 1-0, in the semifinals while Tabor Hill blanked Warshockz FC,1-0.
Dynamo FC shared the spotlight as it downed Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Jesus (SHS-HdJ), 1-0, to capture the under-15 boys division crown. Phoenix FC, meanwhile, survived a penalty shootout, 1-0, against the heavily favored San Roque Football Club (SRFC) to win the under-18 girls title.
Lahug FC also surprised the favored Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC), 3-2, to snatch the under-11 boys division crown.
But Kevlar Queen City United restored order and avoided a series of upsets after it edged Venice SRFC, 1-0, to top the 38-above men’s division.
In the ladies division, USC-FC beat SRFC, 1-0.
Another of Erco’s squad emerged on top in the inter-company division after defeating Leylam FC, 3-2. Convergys, on the other hand, lorded the inter-BPO men’s division after routing Lexmark, 2-0.
Meanwhile, the Cebu Football Association discovered another team in the tournament involved in age-cheating.
CFA officials decided to hold the name of the team and player since they are still digging deeper into the matter.
Last Saturday, AP-FC was disqualified and was slapped a suspension from future CFA-backed tournaments after officials discovered that one of its player was over the age limit in the under-13 division.
Just like AP-FC, the team that is found guilty of age cheating will also be suspended and disqualified from future tournaments.
The CFA said it is strict in implementing rules and regulations this year because it wants the quality of football competition in Cebu to improve.
A total of 168 teams joined in the two-day football festival held in line with the Sinulog Festival that is organized by the Cebu Football Association (CFA) and backed by Super Metro.