Courtesy: Philippine Information Agency


Batang 'Gapo squad take top spot in Central Luzon Futsal League

by Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu

Thursday 25th of April 2013

TARLAC CITY, April 25 (PIA) -- The Lighthouse Amihan Football Club (LAFC) took top spot in the Central Luzon Futsal League after a 12-8 victory over the Tarlac State University (TSU) Firefox yesterday at the TSU basketball gym.

With the win, the LAFC Batang ‘Gapo booters took top of the table after match day 2 with 6 points while the CLSU Green Cobras dropped to 2nd and Futbulakenyos is currently third. The TSU squad remains scoreless.

In the first game, Bulacan’s Futbulakenyos defeated the Nueva Ecija’s Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Green Cobras, 9-7.

“We noticed improvements in all the teams. Both games were nerve wracking for their coaching staff and supporters. Both games ended the first half with tied score,” John Bayarong, league commissioner, said.

He also noted that all the teams’ coaching staff prepared well, “the challenge is now is to continue scoring goals while keeping the opponent at bay.”

Bulacan’s Futbulakenyos recovered from an opening day loss to register its first 3 points in the league.

“We won because (my players) never gave up. (The Lord) gave our team a reason to carry on,” Eman Robles, Futbulakenyos coach, said after the game.

Match day 2 was a goalfest with a total of 36 goals in contrast to the 23 on match day 1.

LAFC Batang ‘Gapo continued to burn the goals with its vice captain Emil Pellezer scoring 5, striker Oteng Fariñas managing a hat trick, Mak-Mak Maliao contributing 2, and Julius Alop tapped a goal. TSU’s Cesar Bautista and Randy Sabado registered the first hat tricks for their team, while Gabriel Agustin and Mon Maniego each scored a goal.

In the other game, Futbulakenyos’ Larry Ramos got a hat trick with Rederick Fornis, Alran Maniquz, and Rouigie Sanguir each contributing a brace. CLSU’s Jordan Necesito chalked up 3 goals, Jesse Medenilla added 2, and Levy Kachieley and Poren Reyes each added 1 goal each.

TSU hosted the 2nd match day at their university gym. Bulacan will host the 3rd match day on May 5.

“The games were exciting to watch. We are happy to host such as competitive league and the university will continue supporting the CL Futsal however we can,” Noberto Jacinto, TSU sports director said.

The CL Futsal League is the only regional 5v5 tournament in the country using sanctioned Star balls from South Korea. It also uses the international futsal rules of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). FIFA is the world governing body of football.

Futsal, the five-versus-five indoor variant of football, is usually played inside a basketball court or a gym.

CL Futsal league is a two-round tournament where each team gets a maximum 3 points for every win, 1 point for a draw, and no point for a loss. The team that earns the highest number of points after the two rounds is declared as regional champions.

“All three variants of football, namely; 11v11, futsal, and beach football will be played by the league members on provincial and city representations within the year. The league is still open to other interested Central Luzon teams,” Bayarong explained.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com