By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negros Occidental suffered a stunning 3-1 defeat to Puerto Princesa in the boys’ Under-17 futsal finals of the Batang Pinoy National Championships at the Ramon V. Mitra Jr. Sports Complex in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

John Kenneth Eclevia completed a hat trick in the first half with goals in the ninth, sixth and two minutes as the hosts completed a seven-game sweep of the tournament for their first futsal plum in the meet organized by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Negros Occidental, which drew 2-2 with Puerto Princesa in their preliminary clash, had its one and only goal, Gian Tzaddi Bacomo, in the 16th minute, while settling for runner-up honors.

“Puerto Princesa was the better and hungrier team today. They outplayed us, so give them credit. You win some, and you lose some,” Negros Occidental assistant coach Robel Ramos said.

Meanwhile, the Bago City futsal team also fell short in the boys’ Under-15 championship following a 4-1 defeat to the Pangasinan squad in the gold medal match, while San Carlos City faltered to Olongapo City, 3-1, in the girls’ U-15.

Futsal tournament director Allan Ramirez, who is a technical official of the Philippine Football Federation, noted that the overall play of the close to 100 squads from all over the country was quite promising.

“Considering that the country will host the first FIFA Women’s World Futsal Cup next year, this shows that there is a following for the sport with the huge number of teams here,” Ramirez said./ASC, WDJ