Born 2017 Blue Eagles clinch RIFA First Phase U9 Championship; Timbol is Finals MVP

What a historic win for our Ateneo Boys Born 2017 Varsity Football Team!

Our squad of Ateneo de Manila Grade School boys made history as the only all–Born 2017 team to advance to the next round of the RIFA U9 Inter-School Football Tournament, after capturing the Championship Trophy in the RIFA First Phase Tournament, which concluded on 25 October 2025 at Ocampo Field in the Loyola Heights campus of Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. The tournament saw the Blue Eagles showcasing exceptional teamwork, discipline, and heart against older and more experienced opponents.

The team is composed of Collin Babst (3-Matutum), Tan Baquiran (2-Lauan), Pocholo Castro (3-Matutum), Tiano Corpus (3-Taal), Hugo Daquigan (3-Pulog), Zio Dizon (3-Kanlaon), Pio Flameño (3-Halcon), Dion Lozano (3-Data), Kian Molina (3-Taal), Iko Osite (3-Samat), Vin Paez (3-Mayon), Jacob Paraiso (3-Bulusan), Lucas Rosanes (3-Bulusan), Matti Timbol (3-Kanlaon), Cayden Torres (3-Data), and Rocco Verzosa (3-Bulusan).
 

In addition, the Finals MVP award was presented to Matti Timbol in recognition of his outstanding performance.

The team is mentored by Head Coach Joker Birdi and Goalkeeper Coach Johnson Lee.

Also advancing to the next round were Ateneo Born 2016, Southridge Born 2016, and La Salle Zobel Born 2016—making this accomplishment even more remarkable for our younger lineup competing against older teams.