Congratulations to the DLSZ Football players who won the bronze medal (Under-12 category) in the La Liga Youth Tournament held at the Kopa Arena in Penang, Malaysia last July 23- 24, 2022.
The young Lasallians represented the country under the Arayat Football Club (FC) with 10 players in this tournament, six (6) of which are comprised of De La Salle Zobel students:
- Grade 4 – Ragnar Lionel Canilao Buser (DLSZ 2031)
- Grade 6 – Angelo Inigo Fernando (DLSZ 2029)
- Grade 6 – Ellai Neiman Siao (DLSZ 2029)
- Grade 6 – Nathan Levi Siao (DLSZ 2029)
- Grade 7 – Rocco Lucas Canilao Buser (DLSZ 2028)
- Grade 7 – Marcus Enrique Tanjangco (DLSZ 2028)
The La Liga Youth Tournament is a grassroots tournament that was attended by around 50 teams and 630 players from four (4) countries. Arayat FC competed against other elite football teams from Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and Indonesia having only nine (9) players against other teams with 15 players and more coaches and staff. Representing the Philippines, Arayat FC was led by coach Hamed Hajimehdi and manager Eumir Siao. They only had 10 months to train and it is the only team in the Philippines to have a podium finish, a first for the country.
According to Philstar, Eumir Siao said the Arayat Warriors had to beat six teams from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam to win the bronze medal.
“They are warriors,” he said of the players. “(The win) was literally blood, sweat and tears. In one instance we were so tired because we would play four games in one day. So coach Hamed told them: ‘You’re not only fighting for Arayat but for your country.’ And that rejuvenated the kids. The reason why a lot of countries are strong is because they’re part of their national youth team.”
The team was invited on August 1, 2022, by the Philippine Sports Commissioner (PSC), Ms. Bong Coo to the PSC Office to congratulate them officially. According to Business Mirror, the La Liga Tournament has become “one of the most important grassroots competitions in Asia.” They also had a victory party where they were also joined by the Muntinlupa City Mayor, Ruffy Biazon and Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.
Congratulations! We are proud of you!
First row, from left: Ms. Merlita Ibay, PSC Deputy Director; Ms. Bong Coo, PSC Commissioner; Anaiah Sotto, Carlene Dy
Second row, from left: Lucho Agoncillo, Marcus Tanjangco (DLSZ 2028), Ellai Siao (DLSZ 2029), Ragnar Buser (DLSZ 2031), Nathan Siao (DLSZ 2029), Rocco Buser (DLSZ 2028), Angelo Fernando (DLSZ 2029), John Tejada
Third row: Atty. Guillermo Iroy, PSC Acting Executive Director
Photo courtesy of Philippine Sports Commission
Photo courtesy of Mr. Dindo Fernando, DLSZ Grade 6 Parent
Sources: Mr. Dindo Fernando, DLSZ Grade 6 Parent, Business Mirror, AAVA News Aug 6-19 issue Vol. 25, Issue 25, Philstar