LINDSAY Whaley, who helped the Grasshoppers of Brent International School win the title in her age category, was hailed as the MVP of the 17-under girls division of the Yellow Cab Football Cup last weekend at the Gatorade Blue Pitch at the Circuit in Makati City.
Over 500 children with a passion for the game of football saw action in the first ever Yellow Cab Football Cup, which began last October.
In 15-under boys action, Jeckster Galicia scored the winning goal of Gawad Kalinga in their 1-0 win over La Salle Greenhills in the finals.
Their coach Chester de Torres said the boys played well, and it was their good passing and communication inside which helped them win.
Makati Football Club took the 13-under boys crown following a 3-0 victory over La Salle Greenhills, with Adri Caraig taking the MVP plum.
Joey Takuma emerged as MVP in the 11-under section after Makati FC outplayed Kaya Yellow, 3-1.
LSGH-Field of Hope won the 9-under side following a 3-1 victory over Makati FC, with Aaron Azurin taking the MVP award.
British School Manila White won over British School Manila-Blue, 3-1 in the 7-under boys action, with Alana Gil as the MVP.
Whaley scored eight goals in matches that day to win the best striker and MVP honors in her division.
But the Grasshoppers of Brent International School faced Kaya Black, Whaley unselfishly passed the ball to midfielder Carmen Castellanos, who scored the winning goal in the sixth minute.
The Grasshoppers eventually won the crown after the 1-0 result over Kaya Black in their finals encounter.
“It was really good. We had a lot of fun today,” said the 15-year-old Castellanos, an 11th grader who eventually bagged the best midfielder award.
Their coach Trinchy Garcia said the tournament proved to be a confidence booster for the girls, who are taking a break from their stint in the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools, which sees them travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore and other countries in the region for school-based tournaments during the season.
“They just this for fun during the break. It was tense until they scored. They haven’t give up much goals,” said Garcia.
Organizers, led by Max’s Group Chief Marketing Officer Jim Fuentebella and Kaya FC General Manager Paul Tolentino said they were amazed at the number of participants and teams who showed up at the artificial turn inside the facility, which used to be part of the Santa Ana horseracing tracks.
“It’s fantastic to see the kids having a good time,” said Fuentebella during the awarding ceremonies.
The six winners got a total of P120,000 in prizes, and this will be donated to their chosen charitable institutions.
“We believe that playing a sport like football can teach values practiced by Kaya Football Club members,” said Fuentebella.