BAROTAC NUEVO, Iloilo — Iloilo Giants capped a flawless and dominant campaign with a 2-0 victory over Iloilo City Urban Blaze to clinch the secondary boys football championship of the WVRAA Meet on Sunday at the FIFA Training Center here, completing a tournament sweep and securing a long-awaited return to the Palarong Pambansa.
Team captain Justine Marc Pangilayan broke the deadlock late in the first half, while June Rey Lagunday delivered the insurance goal in the second half as the Giants imposed control on both ends to finish the tournament unbeaten and unscored upon in the knockout rounds.
The victory underscored the Giants’ superiority throughout the competition, as they combined disciplined defending with explosive offense under head coach Bern Golen and coach Bervic Italia.
Anchoring the backline were goalkeepers Micheal Sotaridona and Jhervet Sotic, supported by a steady defensive core composed of Johan Sidney Lico, Francis James Esportuno, and Joven Silao, who ensured a clean sheet in the finals.
Other members of the team are Joseph Joy Jamotillo, Nikee Schizer Tinapao, Austin Daniel Hingco, Jaylord Dajay, Jayloyd Jayona, Philip Jaydrick Sendino, Jan Floyd Oñate, Eric Matthew Sison, Benedict Simeon Sumagaysay, Jomarelle Niño Alemane, Gian Carlo Abalo, Matthew Lasanas, and Carl Aidan Jalandoni.
According to Italia, the title was the product of months of preparation and sacrifice for the team composed of players from Santa Barbara National Comprehensive High School and Barotac Nuevo National Comprehensive High School.
“This championship is not something that happened overnight. It is the result of our long preparation—early morning trainings, long afternoons under the sun, and countless hours of discipline, repetition, and hard work,” he said.
“This championship reflects what dedication and teamwork can achieve. It is also a testament to the support of the school, our community, and everyone who stood behind these players throughout their journey,” he added.
The Giants stormed into the finals with a string of lopsided victories, crushing Roxas City Yellow Thunders, 13-0, blanking Capiz Golden Warriors, 2-0, and overwhelming Antique Red Sprinters, 5-0 in the eliminations.
They carried that momentum into the semifinals, dismantling the Aklan Mighty Maroons, 8-0, to book a finals berth.
The championship run also marks a historic milestone, as it will be the first time in 15 years that a team from Sta. Barbara will represent Western Visayas in the Palarong Pambansa.
With a perfect record and a trail of dominant wins, the Iloilo Giants now shift their focus to the national stage, carrying with them the confidence of a team that has proven itself as the region’s undisputed best./PN
