MindanaoToday.com | Bulua Strikers Alumnus comes back for PIA Cup
By: Jack Biantan
*Tipay Martinez, who now plays for Inspire Raya Sports Academy in Calamba Laguna, will play for the Lady Strikers in the two-day tournament.
CAGAYAN de Oro City, Misamis Oriental — The best lady footballer that has come out of the Bulua Strikers FC program, Stephanie ’Tipay’ Martinez, will see action for the Lady Strikers once again this Saturday and Sunday to play in the 4th PIA Football Bulua Futsal Fiesta Cup at the Bulua High School gym.
The 17-year-old Martinez was recruited this year to play for the SM owned Inspire Raya Academy in Calamba Laguna. She is back in town to inspire the local girls footballers and see action for her beloved Bulua Lady Strikers of coach Jun Actub.
Actub is organizing the Senator Pia Cayetano sponsored 4th PIA Football Bulua Futsal Fiesta Cup in cooperation with the Bulua National High School, and sanctioned by the Camguin Misamis Oriental Regional Football Association and the Philippine Football Fedeation.
Martinez, who led the Inspire Raya team to a runner-up finish in the recently concluded Makati Futsal Challenge at the University of Makati will lead the Lady Strikers in the Girls U17 and Women’s Open Categories of the two-day competition.
Martinez finished the tournament with 14 goals but Inspire Raya suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 loss to host University of Makati in the championship.
Four titles are at stake in the 4th PIA Football Bulua Futsal Fiesta Cup. They are in the girls U13 (born 2010), U15 (born 2008), U17 (born 2006) and Women’s Open.
The Girls U13 and U17 will be played on Saturday (Dec. 9), while the Girls U15 and Women’s Open will be on Sunday (Dec. 10). All matches will be played at the Bulua National High School gym. Winners will get trophies, and medals.
So far three teams Lumbia Raptors FC, New Camp FC, and Bulua Central School have registered for the Girls U13. For the Girls 15, teams listed are La Salle Iligan City, Lumbia Raptors, and Bulua Strikers teams A and B.
Teams joining in the Girls U17 category are Higala FC, Lumbia Raptors, La Salle Iligan, Xavier University Crusaders, Salay FC, Amigas FC, Valencia National High School, Bulua Strikers teams A and B and BOBORJ FC of Bukidnon.
In the Women’s Open category, early teams listed are Higala FC, XU Women’s Football team, Magis FC, New Camp United, Diamond FC, Bulua Strikers, ICFC Ladies Iligan, MUFC Iligan, BOBORJ FC Bukidnon, New Era FC Iligan and FENKHorse CdO.
Opening ceremony is at 8 a.m. with Bulua Chairperson Al P. Legaspi as the main guest of honor. He will be joined by SK Chairwoman Jangle Aguillon, Bulua National High School School Head Edgardo G. Espinosa, Bulua National School Sports Coordinator Derick Fonteras, CMORFA president Mike Batiles and CMORFA SecGen Don Lazo.
PIA Football official Ayra Malabayabas is also expected to grace the opening.
Official start of the tournament will be after the opening.
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