Fueled by Heart and Faith: Sugbu Calidad Crowned U9 Champions at Danao City’s Sidlak Football Cup

The recently concluded Sidlak Football Cup proved to be another showcase of young football talent, as Sugbu Calidad Football Club captured the U9 championship title, solidifying their standing as one of Cebu’s rising forces in grassroots football.

The road to victory was not easy, with Sugbu Calidad battling some of Cebu’s toughest squads. In the eliminations, they opened strong with a thrilling 3–2 win over Barili Wabaks, followed by a hard-fought draw against Bato Spartans.

They regained momentum with back-to-back statement wins, overpowering Ateneo de Cebu - White, 3–0, and Lapu-Lapu City, 3–0, to advance to the knockout stages.

In the quarterfinals, Sugbu Calidad once again defeated Ateneo de Cebu-Blue, 2–0, before edging past Legacy FC, 1–0, in the semifinals. The championship match against MFC–Cebu was a true test of will, but Sugbu Calidad Team displayed resilience and determination to capture the title with a decisive 1–0 triumph.

What made the victory even more remarkable was the fearless contribution of the club’s U8 players. Sean Devera, Draco Santarita, Evan Tan Bon Thong, Chassey Cabilao and Zach Brunidor (GK), who stepped up against bigger and older opponents. Their grit and composure under pressure proved that age is just a number when it comes to determination and team spirit.

To cap off the tournament, several Sugbu Calidad players proudly earned special awards:

• Golden Boot: Nikola Del Rosario

• Best Midfielder: Andrew Chik

• Golden Ball: Kaizer Tiu

• Best Defender: Kenshi Okada

• Golden Gloves: Zach Brunidor

The championship run was a testament not only to Sugbu Calidad’s skill on the pitch but to the team’s heart and determination, which have always been the driving force behind their success. The road to the title was far from easy and had been a long time coming, but with perseverance and unity, the players rose to the challenge. Guiding them every step of the way were Head Coach Aljohn Armamento and Coach Brient Cabarrubias, whose leadership and dedication helped fuel the team’s journey to the Danao City’s Sidlak Cup victory.