Born-2014 Blue Eagles are RIFA Cup champs

All four Ateneo de Manila Grade School Midgets teams secured podium finishes in the Rizal Football Association (RIFA) Tournament that was concluded at Colegio San Agustin in Makati City on October 14, 2023.

Leading the Blue Eagles was Midgets E (born-2014), which emerged as champion of the cup division. Its players are Alonzo Azores (3-Taal), Rohan Balbas (4-Tupas), Andrei Castañeda (4-Marikudo), Lucas Chuidian (4-Lapu Lapu), Jared De Guzman (4-Agustin Sumuroy), Ramiro De Guzman (4-Maniago), Aaron De Villa (4-Humabon), Ethan Esgrina (4-Marikudo), Migo Gerial (4-Agustin Sumuroy), Anton Landicho (4-Lapu Lapu), Yñakhi Lao (4-Maniago), Zico Mendoza (4-Marikudo), Liam Osite (3-Mayon), Javier Sumpaico (4-Sumakwel), Marcus Tale (4-Sumakwel), Evan Tupaz (3-Kanlaon), Max Unson (4-Dagohoy), and Gabriel Villanueva (4-Magat Salamat). They were coached by Mark Maravilla, Sean Alli, and Jerwin Belina.

Placing second in the cup division was Midgets G (born-2016). Rostered in the team are Alexander Adams (2-Banaba), Daniel Adams (2-Bagras), Knox Angeles (2-Lauan), Lucas Bulalacao (2-Dao), Joaquin Dela Fuente (2-Dao), Mikael Dolor (1-Makisig), Xylo Escultor (2-Mulawin), Luciano Lopez (2-Katmon), Marco Macaraig (2-Narra), Miguel Mahinay (2-Ipil), Paco Molina (2-Banaba), Calvin San Diego (1-Masipag), Arby Soller (2-Yakal), Jack Sumpaico (2-Bagras), and Diego Tagarda (2-Ipil). They were coached by Aldous Mirafuentes.

Placing third in the cup division was Midgets G (born-2017), with players Pocholo Castro (1-Maginoo), Vito Castro (1-Magalang), Cristiano Corpus (1-Matipid), Hugo Daquigan (1-Malinis), Josiah Dizon (1-Mapagmahal), Pio Flameño (1-Maginoo), Levi Laiz (K-Garing), John Molina (1-Malusog), Aloysius Osite (1-Malinis), Lucas Rosanes (1-Maginoo), Alessandro Timbol (1-Timbol), and Rocco Versoza (1-Malinis). They were coached by Mark Gilbert Ayuson.

Last but not least, Midgets E (born-2015) placed second in the plate division with players Matteo Bartolome (3-Pinatubo), Marcus Bonto (3-Daraitan), Raphael De Mesa (3-Halcon), Jace Go (3-Makiling), Joaquin Lapitan (2-Mulawin), Isidro Leal (2-Tanguile), Ethan Macol (3-Mayon), Jacob Monsanto (3-Matutum), Jaden Omadto (3-Bulusan), Dustin Ramos (3-Pinatubo), Ethan San Diego (3-Banahaw), Luke Tadeo (3-Mayon), Ethan Tan (2-Guijo), Andre Templo (2-Guijo), and Patrick Tiotuyco (3-Daraitan). They were coached by Erwin Mallorca and Sean Alli.  

All four Blue Eagles teams performed admirably in the tournament and earned well-deserved awards and trophies as testaments to the hard work and dedication of these young Ateneans.

The RIFA tournament attracted football teams from Claret, Colegio San Agustin, De La Salle Zobel, Hedcen, La Salle Greenhills, and PAREF-Southridge.