A dream come true!
What began as a quiet dream for a group of young footballers from Santa Barbara, Iloilo turned into a story of success as they emerged champion in the recently concluded Pintaflores Cup: National Invitational Football Tournament in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
Representing Santa Barbara U16 squad, the “Young Barbarians,” stunned the competition with their discipline and chemistry, outclassing powerhouse teams from Negros Occidental, Cebu, different places within the country, and even host San Carlos City.
Making waves in the opening game, the team showed quick ball movement, tight defense, and relentless attacking pressure. During the semifinal, they outpointed archrival Barotac Nuevo, 2–1. It was a defining moment as they outclassed a decades-old rival.
In the championship match, Santa Barbara held their nerve under pressure, delivering a stunning 4–0 win that silenced the home crowd and sealed their historic title.
For Ray Cabarles of the Iloilo Provincial Sports Office, the Santa Barbara U16 football team is a product of the Province of Iloilo Developmental League.
“I am happy that through our sports development program, the team has achieved a remarkable accomplishment at the national stage,” he added.
With the victory, the team got cheers and yells from their fans, proving that Iloilo is truly the home of football champions in the country.IMT Sports
