Final Whistle: MGCNL Emerges Victorious in the Valiant Football Academy Tournament

The MGCNLCA U14 football varsity achieved a momentous win at the first Valiant Football Academy Tournament, showcasing their astonishing skills and camaraderie last February 24 and 25 at the Blue Pitch, Circuit Makati.

The New Lifers competed against ten teams in a single elimination format for a chance to take home the championship cup division title. Under the guidance of Coach Chols Villarino, MGCNL emerged victorious, securing four wins, two draws, and zero loss. The remarkable performances of Audric Quing Perez, Yejoon Cho, Joaquin Abadia, and Seth Solco led MGCNL to victory.

In the opening matches of the event, MGCNL faced challenges, garnering two consecutive ties. Nonetheless, they bounced back in a series of formidable matches, demonstrating their individual talents and teamwork through various strategic plays. 

Cho paved the way for MGCNL’s win as he took home the Most Valuable Player award, displaying his defensive prowess along with his impressive offensive abilities.

The journey to victory was no easy feat. Mike Riconalla, assistant coach of the MGCNL football varsity and co-founder of Valiant FA, quoted Winston Churchill, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without the loss of enthusiasm.” The team’s unwavering commitment to win despite numerous hurdles faced is what ultimately allowed them to sail towards victory. 

In addition to the U14’s success, the New Lifers celebrated accomplishments across various age groups. The U8 team conquered the summit, securing a gold medal in the plate division. Despite a slow start, the U10 team recuperated and clinched the silver medal. Finally, the U12 grabbed the bronze medal overcoming challenges in squad depth challenges.

Coach Riconalla felt a rush of emotions after the hard-fought victory, attributing these amazing achievements to the effort of the players’ diligence. “The real champs! Thank you for being the support system of the players, for being there for them all the time, and for supporting our football program,” he said in gratitude to the parents of the team. 

This historic achievement is a testament to the excellence of all the players, fueled by the willingness to bring glory to God's name.