BAGO CITY, Negros Occidental – Classico de San Carlos FC clinched the 2025 Negros Occidental Regional Football Association (NORFA) Champions League U16 title after a 3-0 win over Bacolod United FC in the finals at the Bago City Sports Complex here.
Touted as the “El Clásico” of Negros Occidental football, the highly anticipated match lived up to expectations with Classico de San Carlos FC delivering a clinical and tactically mature performance to overpower their rivals.
The San Carlos side made key strategic adjustments following their high-scoring semifinal win over CST-R Golden Eagles, resulting in a dominant showing in the final.
Led by standout performances from their midfielders and a well-organized defense, Classico de San Carlos FC controlled the pace of the game and nullified Bacolod United’s attacking threats.
The team also swept all the major individual awards with Esjay Sandag as Best Goalkeeper, Hanz Nathaniel dela Cruz as Best Defender, France Navarro as Best Midfielder, Jarenz Negasca as Best Striker, and Jhon Luke Libunao as MVP.
Classico de San Carlos FC’s championship run drew praise from across San Carlos City, not just for their technical brilliance but also for their strategic execution throughout the competition.
The road to the final saw Classico de San Carlos FC defeat fellow San Carlos squad CST-R Golden Eagles in the semifinals with a 6-3 comeback victory in the second half.
Bacolod United FC, meanwhile, secured their finals berth with a narrow 1-0 win over City of Kabankalan FC in a defensive battle, with the latter failing to convert a crucial penalty opportunity.
In the third-place match held earlier in the day, CST-R Golden Eagles defeated City of Kabankalan FC to round out the final standings of the tournament.
The 2025 NORFA Champions League U16 tournament concluded on a high note, highlighting the depth of talent and fierce local rivalries that continue to elevate grassroots football in Negros Occidental./PN
