Mackoy FC Triumphs in Dramatic Penalty Shootout to Win 20th Thirsty Football Cup
Mackoy FC from Bukidnon has been crowned the new Men's Open champion of the 20th Thirsty Football Cup after a nail-biting victory over defending champion Conquistadors FC. The championship match concluded with a dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout win for Mackoy FC at the Cebu City Sports Center, following an intense battle during regulation time that left both teams deadlocked.
Tough Road to the Finals for Mackoy FC
Mackoy FC faced a challenging path to the finals, surviving close matches to secure their spot. In the quarterfinals, they narrowly defeated Freelow United with a 2-1 penalty shootout victory. Advancing to the semifinals, they edged out DB 180 Degrees with a 2-1 win, earning their place in the title match. Meanwhile, Conquistadors FC also showcased an impressive run, beating MJ United 8-7 in a penalty shootout during the quarterfinals and dominating Warshockz with a 3-0 victory in the semifinals.
Mark Herald Bazaar was honored as the Most Valuable Player of the Men's Open division, recognizing his outstanding performance throughout the tournament.
Dolphins FC Dominates Boys 15 Division
In the Boys 15 division, Dolphins FC secured the championship by defeating Sugbu Calidad with a 3-1 victory. The Dolphins maintained an unbeaten record throughout the tournament, topping Group 4 with 12 points. They crushed Pangalo Dolphins 5-0 in the quarterfinals and defeated Fuerza 3-0 in the semifinals. Marc Cutamora was named the Boys 15 MVP for his exceptional contributions to the team's success.
Other Champions Crowned Across Divisions
Last Saturday, UP Cebu claimed the Women's Open title after finishing with nine points and a 2-0-0 record, identical to Indiana Aerospace University. UP Cebu was declared champion due to a better goal difference, with +3 compared to IAU's +2. Shane Guadez earned the Women's MVP award for her standout play.
Sugbo Calidad added the Players 11 trophy to its Players 9 title, winning 4-3 in a penalty shootout against San Carlos School of Cebu. KJ Pros received the Boys 11 MVP award. In other Saturday action, Paref-Springdale A won the Boys 17 title with a 3-0 victory over Libhu FC, Rosvale-B claimed the Boys 13 crown with a 1-0 win over Club De Los Hermanos, and Cebu United topped the Girls 15 league with seven points to secure the championship.
A Major Football Event with Widespread Participation
The three-day tournament proved to be a significant football event, attracting 155 teams and more than 1,600 young football players from across the Visayas and Mindanao, as reported by organizer John Pages. Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez attended the event, watching matches at the Cebu City Sports Center and joining tournament officials for commemorative photos, including one with Boys 17 champions Paref-Springdale.
