By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Schools Division of Iloilo-Barotac Nuevo emerged as champion in the 2023 Iloilo School Sports Council Inter-Division Meet elementary boys’ football tournament held recently at the Iloilo Sports Complex.

The Barotac Nuevo elementary booters defeated their Schools Division of Iloilo City-West Visayas State University counterparts twice in their best-of-three encounter to capture the crown.

The tournament competition went down to a best-of-three affair as only two teams competed to serve as Iloilo province’s representative to the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet next week in Aklan.

Barotac Nuevo first scored a 15-0 domination against Iloilo City last Sunday, April 16, with Drystan Alexandrae Delgado-Torres spearheading the offense with six goal connections.

Alfin Bayotas followed Delgado-Torres with three conversions, while team captain Nathan Howard Caligdong, Jhon Army Condino, Vinz Kyru Bragancia, Gian Michael Porras, John Lorenz Segocio, and Fritz Ahzryl Chavez managed one goal apiece.

Barotac Nuevo maintained their aggression against Iloilo City in their second encounter the next day, April 17, as they scored a 9-0 shutout led by the hat trick of Bayotas.

Caligdong also made his presence felt offensively with a brace, while Segocio, Delgado-Torres, Carl Justin Gabayno, and Kurt Arnel Deoduco chipped in one goal apiece.

Also part of the Schools Division of Iloilo-Barotac Nuevo squad were goalkeeper Finley Nate Bedia, Gem Andrei Dequit, James Michael Consular, Neil John Biclar, Ezekiel Joan Surmieda, Bryan Ejar, Nhelro Valderama, and Raiver Paul Fernandez.

Serving as the head coach of SDO-Barotac Nuevo is Jasper Jan Santos, while Ariel Bedic was the team’s trainer and mentor.

The SDO-Barotac Nuevo will now prepare for the teams from Negros Occidental, Aklan and Capiz for a chance to represent the region in the Palarong Pambansa scheduled later this year./ASC, WDJ