Star FC wins PFF Futsaliga U17 title

TANAY, Rizal — Champion Star FC completed an unbeaten run in the inaugural PFF Futsaliga U17 Boys’ Division, overwhelming EMA Bulacan Highlanders, 9-4, in the final Sunday, May 18, at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The barangay-based club from Barangay Sampaloc in Tanay, Rizal, captured the gold medals and championship trophy against elite academies and teams from major cities.

The title match drew 1,541 fans, including Star FC supporters who traveled through the winding Marilaque Highway from the Sierra Madre highlands to Oranbo, Pasig.

The tournament was presented by the Philippine Sports Commission and held on the same World Cup-standard futsal floor at Philsports Arena.

Star FC entered the final as the league’s top attacking team with 41 goals in eight games.

EMA Bulacan Highlanders came in as the tournament’s second-best attacking side with 39 goals before the championship match.

Star FC manager Marianita Fulgado said the victory showed the value of youth development in communities far from traditional football centers.

“Malaking tulong talaga ang grassroots development para sa mga bata. Simula pa lang bata, natututo nang sumipa ng bola, kaya talagang importante yun,” said an ecstatic Star FC manager Marianita Fulgado, the amiable matriarch of 13 boys who simply wanted the chance to play on a World Cup-caliber court.

Bulacan opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Jhon Kyle Balcos pounced on a rebound and assisted Charlson Vidal, the tournament’s Golden Boot winner.

Star FC answered two minutes later as Mark Filnan Samonte slipped past Bulacan’s overloaded left-side defense and scored the equalizer.

Ramil Fraga Jr. and season MVP Franc Obias then sparked Star FC’s attack with a combination that turned the match in their favor.

Fraga chipped a cross from the left flank to Obias, who headed the ball through the legs of Bulacan goalkeeper Renz Delos Santos for the lead.

Fraga scored his first goal in the 15th minute after a slick left-sided kick-in combination with Obias barely crossed the goal line.

Vidal pulled Bulacan closer in the 18th minute with a solo run from the right flank, beating Star goalkeeper Christian Dave Tongohan and two defenders.

Bulacan equalized on the next possession when Balcos fired a long-range strike from the midcourt circle off Ashlee Saguimo’s right-sided kick-in.

Star FC reclaimed the lead in the final minute of the first half as Fraga finished from the left side after collecting a long through ball from Jayden Cruz.

The second half belonged to Star FC.

Fraga scored again in the 27th minute from a second-ball situation following an assist from team captain Paul Oliran.

Cruz and Vidal traded goals in the 32nd and 34th minutes, keeping Bulacan within striking distance.

Cruz struck again in the 35th minute with a thunderous long-range effort.

Roel Opiña capped the rout as Star FC sealed the emphatic championship win.

Fraga finished with four goals in the final and emerged as the surprise standout of the title match.

“Sobrang saya, kasi di namin akalaing pwede kaming mag-champion sa league na ganito,” said Fraga, who finished with four goals in the final.

“Dinaan namin sa training. Grabe ang sakripisyo. Kung ano yung ginawa namin sa training, ginawa namin dito at tinapos na namin dito.”

Obias said the championship carried deep meaning for a team from a small community.

“Sobrang halaga sa amin ito kasi galing kami sa maliit na bayan at hindi po talaga namin inexpect na magcha-champion kami dito,” Obias said. “Malaking achievement sa amin iyon na makasali dito sa Futsaliga.”

Fulgado said the title was more than a sporting achievement for Barangay Sampaloc.

“Napakarami pang bata sa amin na patuloy na sumisipa ng bola para makatulong din sa pag-aaral nila at magkaroon sila ng magandang kinabukasan,” she underscored, emphasizing futsal’s transformative power for the youth of Tanay.

In the Battle for Bronze, Cavite-based Paul Stiga Academy blanked Nemesis FA, 4-0.

Season Best Goalkeeper Charles Marco produced a string of skillful saves to shut down Nemesis FA.

Antipolo City FC captured the Plate title with a 4-2 victory over Manila Futsal Team.

Golden Boot contender JM Bautista shone one final time for Antipolo City FC in the Plate final.

Sporting QC secured seventh place after beating PasigLaban in a penalty shootout.

The Philippine Football Federation organized the tournament as part of efforts to grow futsal among young players and give more communities access to structured competition. (PFF)