By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and the Negros Occidental Regional Football Association (NORFA) lauded the Maranatha Christian College (MCC) Centurions of Bacolod City following their first runner-up finish in the recently concluded She Cup in Thailand.
Competing in the international under-15 seven-a-side tournament organized by the International Football League, the MCC Centurions delivered an impressive campaign, finishing second in their group before advancing to the finals.
The Negrense side, guided by head coach Christian Earl Bona and assistant coach Joel Reyner Guay, ultimately settled for the silver medal after a 1-3 loss to Bangkok Sports School in the championship match.
PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez commended the team for its strong showing, emphasizing the significance of the achievement for grassroots football in the country.
“We extend our warmest congratulations to the MCC Centurions for their outstanding success and for proudly raising the Philippine flag on the international stage. This remarkable achievement stands as a powerful testament to the steady improvement and growth of grassroots football in the country, proving that our local programs are successfully nurturing top-tier talent,” Gutierrez said.
NORFA President Miggy Valmayor echoed the sentiment, highlighting the global competitiveness of Negrense players.
“We are very proud of this achievement. Finishing as first runner-up in an international tournament shows that talents from Negros and Bacolod are truly world-class,” Valmayor said.
Bacolod City Mayor and MCC alumnus Greg Gasataya also praised the team’s performance in the finals.
“Going head-to-head against Bangkok Sports School in the championship, you showed the world the fighting heart of a Bacolodnon and proved that our local talent belongs on the global stage,” Gasataya said.
The silver medal finish was anchored by a core group of MCC players, including Hannah Bagomboy, Nathalie Rhaine Andres, Yannah Marie Amar, Marinel Gonzales, Princess Myel Deferia, Cyrlizene Ibanez, Quirah Antonette Relos, Marcela Tricia Lachica, and Reinna Marcelino.
They were reinforced by regional standouts Janezza Merliah Gerafil of Silay Lokal FC and Leighton Glenilou Fuentebella of Pamplona de Pontevedra FC, who contributed to the team’s strong international run.
The result marked a significant milestone for the MCC Centurions and underscored the continued rise of grassroots football in Negros and across the Philippines./ASC, WDJ