Davao Strikers, Bluejaz take Cherifer U-14 titles

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Host Bluejaz added the Under-14 boys title to its collection while the Davao Strikers was just too much for the opposition in the girls side at the close of the Cherifer Kids Beach Football Tournament at the Bluejaz Resort and Waterpark in the Island Garden City of Samal.

Bluejaz, which annexed the Under-12 title on Saturday, added the Under-14 boys title as the Middleton-owned squads dominated the weekend event with two titles to their name. Bluejaz beat Black Knights via shootout in the finals to win their second crown in two days.

“It’s a good sendoff to us as we go back to the States,” said Bluejaz owner Jazmin Middleton whose two kids Christian and Erin played for the Bluejaz teams in the event sponsored by Cherifer PGM 10-22 Multivitamins.

Black Knights settled for runner-up honors while IRBU FC came in third.

In the girls division, Davao Strikers swept their four-game elimination assignment to bag the title outright. Little Azkal standout Nina Arrieta won MVP honors for Davao Strikers. Lady Knights, a team made up of Ateneo booters, settled for runner-up honors and SOS wound up third.

“We played seriously because we wanted to win as many games as we can. The girls played very well and they defended well,” said coach Reynalyn Ravanes after her team scored four straight wins in the eliminations.

Cherifer marketing officer for Mindanao Stef Perez awarded the trophies and giveaways along with Neil Bravo of the organizing Bravetower Promotions.

The tournament, sanctioned by the Davao Football Association (DFA), attracted a record total of 38 teams for the Under-14, Under-12 and Under-10 categories.

Bluejaz, Black Knights bag titles in Cherifer Beach Football

Host Bluejaz and Black Knights survived a tough day on sand and emerged champions in their respective divisions after the first day of competitions in the Cherifer Kids Beach Football Tournament at the Bluejaz Resort and Waterpark in the Island Garden City of Samal.

Bluejaz beat Sakya Boys in a shootout scoring all 3 attempts to win the Under-12 title while Black Knights copped the Under-10 crown with a shootout win over Ateneo Blue after a scoreless regulation. Philip Bantayan, Neil Antalan and Rambo Enriquez scored for Bluejaz while Antalan, who won the MVP award, stood tall in an outstanding goalkeeping effort to preserve the win.

Bluejaz came from a tough semis outing against Black Knights before winning its first ever title in a rain-soaked finals against a stubborn Sakya squad. “We are so happy we finally won a title,” said Bluejaz owner Jazmin Middleton.

Black Knights also came through with a big win after placing only third in a recent tournament. Ateneo Blue missed their first two attempts in the shootout to pave the way for the Black Knights’ win. Black Knights keeper Raegon Zoren Herard Arbaan was simply too tough to score against and that earned him his first MVP title.

Black Knights finished second runner-u in the Under-12 division after beating Sakya Girls while Ateneo Knights tripped Southpoint for second runner-up honors.

The other awardees in this tournament sponsored by Cherifer PGM 10-22 Multivitamins and presented by Bluejaz Resort and Waterpark are Carlos Costan (best goalkeeper, U-12) and Charles Edward Ybanez (best goalkeeper, U-10).

The tournament, organized by Bravetower Promotions, resumes for the Under-14 girls and boys divisions yesterday with some 10 teams taking part. Competing in the boys division are Atletico, IRBU FC, IRBU United, Bluejaz, and Black Knights while the girls division will feature Davao Strikers, Lady Knights, Bluejaz, SOS, and Hinex.