THREE-PEAT FOR PWC PATRIOTS

The spectators of the championship game of the 10^th Acosta Cup last Sunday, December 15, were treated to a rare nail-biting sports experience.  The showdown between defending champion Philippine Women’s College (PWC) Patriots and the team-standing leader SOS Davao Football Club was such an edge-of-your-seat spectacle that the outcome was unclear until the very last second of the match.

PWC opened up the score board with a goal from Krista Villa Abrille in the 13th minute.  Before the half-time break, SOS striker Agot Danton chipped in a resounding equalizer.  SOS then took the lead with a strike from Joyce Semancio in the 49th.  A handball foul inside the penalty area in the 52nd by defender Maylene Albarracin allowed the Patriots to level the score with a kick from the penalty spot courtesy of Cherry Mae Vilchez, sealing a tie after the 80-minute regulation time. 

In the first ten-minute extension of play, a spectacular second goal from Danton in the 85th catapulted SOS in the lead.  Four minutes later however, Albarracin was again flagged for another handball inside the penalty area giving the defending champ a chance once again to draw the game with a penalty kick via Villa Abrille.

A thrilling penalty shoot-out ensued and after six players per team had their opportunity to make hits and misses in the net, the Patriots ended the stalemate with a decisive goal from its seventh kicker Alvin Rose Pardillo, earning PWC its third consecutive Acosta Cup victory.

The awards ceremony that followed was attended by no less than Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta and her husband Capt. Rey Acosta.  Also present was Michael Co of the Davao Football Association.  Medals, trophies, cash prizes, certificates and tokens were given to the victor and runners-up SOS and D’DS Tigs who triumphed over Ateneo Blue Knights in the pre-championship match. 

Agot Danton was declared as the Best Striker with 27 goals in the entire tournament while PWC Patriots goalkeeper Geniveive Suyco was proclaimed Most Valuable Player.  Both athletes received cash gifts along with the individual recognition.

Acosta Cup was organized in 2004 under the auspices of City Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta in coordination with the Davao Football Association.  This year’s event is made possible by the consistent support of the City Government of Davao-Office of the City Mayor, Primo Café & Grille, SBF Phils. Drilling Corporation, ULTICON Builder’s Inc., Mergrande Ocean Resort, NCCC Davao, Jollibee Davao-JTC Group of Companies, and San Iker Garments.