Grade 8 Centralian gets a slot in the Philippine National Football Team

*The U15 Philippine Football team poses with the CPU Junior High School Footbal team.*

On July 9-22, 2017 the U15 Philippine National Football team will compete against teams in the South East Asian region in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) CUP in Chonburi, Thailand. The Centralian community is proud that one of the three Ilonggo players in the national team is a Grade 8 Junior High School student of Central Philippine University — James Tuazon.

James Tuazon, a thirteen-year old native of Brgy. Jalaud, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo got the nod of the national coach, Emilio “Chieffy” Caligdong. The U15 (Under 15) national team is mentored by the former Azkal skipper who is an Ilonggo from Barotac Nuevo.

*James Tuazon, a CPU Golden Lions player, is now part of the U15 Philippine Football team.*

Tuazon started playing football at the age of seven. He received numerous recognitions such as Best Midfielder, Best Defender and Best Striker in the various tournaments that he joined. Football also brought him to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. When asked about his experience in his training, Tuazon happily answered, “I have a very good experience as part of the national team. The training did not only develop my skills in football but our coaches also taught us to develop our attitude.”

His message for the young athletes is to follow their dreams and do not forget to study. He is also passionate and a voracious learner. “Football is my passion, and I love to watch videos about football” he added. U15 Head Coach Chieffy Caligdong was amazed with the skills and attitude of Tuazon on and off the pitch. Caligdong scouted Tuazon during the Philippine Football Federation Festival of Football (FOF) in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental last March 2017.

*Coach Chieffy Caligdong congratulates James Tuazon after scoring a goal.*

In a friendly match last June 27, 2017 at the Iloilo Sports Complex between CPU Junior High School football team, Tuazon struck two goals for the national squad on the 65^th and 72nd minutes. But the CPU Golden Lions, coached by Engr. Marc Hermel G. Agriam, managed to level the score courtesy of Hanns Soldevilla and Jil Sander Pillora on the 75^th and 76^th minutes respectively. Coach Agriam praised the effort of his players considering that they have a tied game against the national team. The parents of the CPU Golden Lions team were joyful of the outcome of the game.

The U15 Philippine team is in Iloilo for a month-long training camp.

CPU football teams at the CERES Cup 2017

By Cyrus A. Natividad

*Centralian Nursing students at the Ceres Cup 2017.*

Three football teams from Central Philippine University joined in the 4th Ceres Cup in Negros Occidental on May 20 to 21. One of the CPU teams was composed of female Nursing and CBA students, and two others among the more than 400 participating teams across the country.

The tournaments were played at North Field, Carlos Hilado Memorial State College Football Field, and Sta. Maria Football Field – all in Talisay City. The major organizer and event benefactor – Vallacar Transit (owners of the Ceres line transport) provided the participants with free transportation.

The two-day football festival is aimed at providing football enthusiasts the opportunity to foster and exhibit sportsmanship in a competitive, safe, and friendly environment. Ceres Cup also encouraged the CPU teams to become stronger in the local, national and commercial tournaments. / with reports from Karen Kaye Natividad & Sunstar Philippines

Jaro Football Club U13 Boys snag Ceres Cup Championship

By Ces Maria Sarria-Amular

*The 4th Ceres Cup 7-A-Side Football Festival – U13 Boys Champions point their fingers to heaven acknowledging their faith in Jesus Christ.*

It was another great win for the Jaro Football Club U13 Boys as they claimed the championship crown at the 4^th Ceres Cup held on May 21-22, 2017 at Talisay City, Negros Occidental. The Jaro FC U13 Boys bested forty other football teams coming from all over the country; beating Sagay City FC (A) in the championship game with a 9-1 win.

*The champions raise their hard earned trophy.*

The U13 Boys breezed through the qualifiers showing their skills and determination through these wins: Game 1 vs Sum-Ag FC (2-0), Game 2 vs Crocs FC (1-1), Game 3 vs Silay FC (8-0), and Game 4 vs Escalante FC (2-1). The quarterfinal match was a heart-stopping game beating NOFA Selection with a 1-0 win. This was then followed by an exciting semi-final 4-1 win against KNN Cebu. The final game against Sagay City FC was a class of its own as the U13 Boys dominated the game with 9 goals, thus winning the U13 championship!

The Jaro FC U13 Boys is mainly composed of players from C entral Philippine University, namely Lian Joseph Celis, Johann Mitchell Javellana, Jan Roger Lamparero, Jake Andrew Loable, Selwin Nickos Mamon, Francis Josh Mediana, Jake Salazar, and John Joshua Moises. The rest of the players are from other Iloilo schools: Ignatius Daniel Amular from Assumption Iloilo, Ross Alfred Ferrer and Kevin Sibayan from Hua Siong, Charles Mana-ay from Jalandoni School, and Benj Justin Lustica – who was also hailed as the MVP of said game – from La Paz. They are guided, coached, and mentored by Coach Jonathan Alabado and Coach Snap Plagata Cajelo.

The Ceres Cup is a national invitational league that provides football enthusiasts in the Philippines the opportunity to exhibit their skills and talents in football while competing with other teams. It is also a venue for them to foster sportsmanship and in a competitive, safe, and friendly environment.