Sixteen spirited football teams gathered in a striking display of skill and tenacity at the 4th First Balfour Football Cup last Saturday, November 18, at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite. The 7-a-side tournament drew in a record-breaking turnout of nearly 400 players and guests from First Balfour’s clients, partners, and vendors.
(Top row L-R): Acciona, Arup, Bauer, Cemex; (2nd row L-R): DOTr, DMCI, EDC/First Gen, First Balfour; (3rd row L-R): Holcim, La Roja de Manila, MDC, Maynilad; (Bottom row L-R: Meralco, Nishimatsu, Precast and Construction Solutions by Megawide, Rockwell Land)
Highest attendance ever
The tournament, a showcase of camaraderie and competition, was participated by teams from diverse corporate backgrounds. Aside from host First Balfour, other attendees were Acciona Construction Philippines, Arup, Bauer Foundations Philippines, Cemex Philippines, Department of Transportation, D.M. Consunji, Inc., Energy Development Corporation/First Gen Corporation, Holcim Philippines, La Roja de Manila, Makati Development Corporation, Maynilad Water Services, Inc., Meralco, Nishimatsu Construction Co. Ltd., Precast and Construction Solutions by Megawide, and Rockwell Land.
Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Commercial Operations Malcolm Lorimer officially opens the tournament with the ceremonial kickoff.
In the spirit of sports and competition, Cemex Philippines President Luis Franco and Procurement Regional Director Juan Carlos Soto suited up to play for their respective companies. Holcim Philippines President Horia Adrian and Bauer Managing Director Mohammed Hussieny also got in on the action.
The sixteen teams played in four randomized groups wherein the top two teams would vie in the quarter finals. The teams would then be filtered with the winners of the quarters to go forward with the cup division and the others to be categorized to the plate division.
Surged with the spirit of competition
The quarter finals teams were determined with Rockwell going against First Gen/EDC, La Roja de Manila against Holcim, Acciona against Nishimatsu, and Cemex against MDC. The intensity of competition among the teams was palpable, leading to an unprecedented number of matches in the qualifying rounds being thrillingly decided by penalty shootouts. At the end of the stage, Rockwell, La Roja de Manila, Acciona, and Cemex would come out to battle it out in the semis.
La Roja de Manila had to outplay the determined team from Cemex, which secured the 1st runner-up position with commendable performance in the cup division. Acciona, not far behind, showcased a robust defense and quick-paced play, earning them the 2nd runner-up title in a series of matches that had the spectators on the edge of their seats.
In the plate division, Nishimatsu conquered the championship against First Gen/EDC, while MDC grabbed the third place over Holcim.
La Roja de Manila emerged as the champions of the highly-anticipated First Balfour Football Cup
Congratulations were also in place for the individual awardees with the best performances in the tournament. Cemex bagged two with Juan Carlos Soto crowned as Best Midfielder and Ken Gador as Best Goalkeeper. Champions La Roja de Manila also gained two individual awards with the Best Defender award honorably given to Iván Fuentetaja and Best Striker award to Gonzalo Perez who also was chosen to be the Most Valuable Player.
Community cheers and future hopes
The event, beyond the rivalry, was a vibrant gathering, uniting families, friends, and colleagues. It was a day marked by competitive spirit and sportsmanship, echoing the larger aim of First Balfour to foster relationships with its stakeholders. As the 4th First Balfour Football Cup ended in high spirits, anticipation builds for a much bigger 5th edition of the tournament which is slated to be one of the events to celebrate the upcoming 55th anniversary festivities of First Balfour.
Photo album – https://shorturl.at/goZ35
