CFCL season ends

By Allen M. Villa

Friday 20th of July 2012

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, July 20 (PIA) -- The leading teams in the Central Luzon Football League (CLFL), the first ever football league in the region, finished the season on top by dismantling their opponents’ defenses in separate games last Saturday.

Bulacan’s Futbulakenyos was adjudged champs of the maiden league by pummeling Pampanga Football Club (PFC), 9-1, in a rain-drenched opener, while the young guns Lighthouse Amihan FC (LAFC) of Olongapo City outclassed Tarlac FC, 7-3 before a home crowd of around 1,500 at the Remy Fields inside this free port.

The Futbulakenyos posted a superb season, going undefeated and winning a total of 18 points, while runner up LAFC Batang 'Gapo copped 12 points in the 12-game first season of the CLFL.

"We had some challenges but in all it was amazing. It was rewarding to have our own league and bring the beautiful game closer to the people of Central Luzon," Christian de Ocampo, league commissioner, said after the games.

The two teams took home the individual awards with the golden boot award given to Futbulakenyos striker Larry Ramos who netted 12 goals in 6 games. The best goalkeeper went to Edriel Tagaan of the Lighthouse Amihan FC.

Tarlac FC took 3rd place while Pampanga FC finished the season in fourth place

Olongapo City officials graced the game, among them councilors Thet Marzan, Rodel Cerezo, and Bugsy delos Reyes, nephew of former Senator and SBMA chairman Richard Gordon.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) deputy administrator Raul Marcelo welcomed all the team to Subic Bay.

"We would like to see more sports, like football, take hold and add to the increasing number of sports that call Subic Bay their home," Marcelo said

He added, however, that "our loudest cheers will understandably be for our home club, the Lighthouse Amihan FC."

The season ender saw the biggest home crowd where some 1,500 trooped to cheer the home team.

LAFC officials estimate that some 2,700 supporters came to watch their two home games.

"Sixteen months ago, during our first try out, I told my brother that one day 1,000 noisy, fun, and loyal football fans of Batang 'Gapo FC, dancing to the tune of Rivermaya's Posible, will fill the bleachers of Remy Field. So, today was a dream come true," John Bayarong, LAFC coach said at full time.

The culmination of the CLFL is another breakthrough for football in the region.

The CLFL is set to increase the total number of teams to 8 to include other provinces of Central Luzon for its 2nd season.

Among the provinces are Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Zambales and Aurora.

"We will also allow teams to represent cities and municipalities. They just have to prove that they are a stable football club in their areas," de Ocampo explained.

"We will see more teams next season. Maybe, even a 16& Under team will be formed together with the Open division. For sure, Futbulakenyos will be at the opening kick-off in January," Bulacan coach Emman Robles promised.

With the onset of the rainy season, PFC coach Larry Simon said the league will shift to indoor football or futsal as a way to continue training the football players.

"We designated the Subic Bay Futbol Club to host the futsal league. LAFC opened only 10 teams for the maiden futsal season with the CLFL teams gaining automatic slots," Simon explained.

He added that the instead of a home and away format, "a team will host all the participants in their futsal court every match day to generate more interest in the host community."(CLJD/AMV-PIA 3)