Mindanaotoday.com | CDO footballer realizes dream with DLS Zobel
CAGAYAN De Oro City — FORMER Rosevale School defender Andy Lugod has realized his dream of winning a championship trophy abroad when his team De La Salle Zobel captured the U18 category title in the Singapore Cup over the weekend.
Andy Lugod’s decision of transferring to Zobel in Ayala, Alabang, Muntinlupa City from Rosevale School here in Cagayan de Oro City has paid off as he became a regular member of the football squad this school year and earned the right to represent DLSZ in Singapore.
His sacrifices earned him rewards as he was named as a member of the Zobel squad that went to Singapore over the weekend to compete in the Singapore Cup in preparation for the coming UAAP wars early next year.
DLSZ booters topped their group with two wins, one draw and seven points. Gambas FC of Singapore was second, Verde Cresta FC also of Singapore third and FC India fourth.
They then beat Shining Star FC of India 4-0, in the semis to arrange a title showdown with Gambas FC of Singapore which downed Verde Cresta Combine SC also of Singapore, 3-1, in the other semis clash.
The La Salle boys then went all out in the championship match to whip Gambas FC, 6-0, to bring home the title, the first title Andy won abroad.
Julio Antonio Yoldi was the top scorer in the tournament with nine goals while Virggo Herce was named Most Valuable Player..
Yoldi and Herce are veterans of the widely successful NOFA Cup U-15 competition held in Bacolod City every summer before the COVID 19 pandemic.
Andy, whose father sportsman and Cagayan de Oro based businessman Ian Lugod, is a solid defender and midfielder for DLSZ and was a key to the success of the Zobel boys in their Singapore campaign.
He spent his elementary and high school footballing days with Rosevale School here in Cagayan de Oro City but decided to move to Zobel this year for his Senior High School. Last summer, he trained at Don Bosco Technology College in Cebu under coach Glen Ramos.
Andy then played for Ramos with the Central Visayas Football Association (CVFA) in the Garuda International Cup in Bagor, Indonesia from July 6-9.
He then tried out for DLSZ after summer and immediately made an impression. He then secured a place in the DLSZ lineup. From then on there was stopping for the left footed defender.
Andy is just hopeful that he will make it to the DLSZ team for the coming UAAP wars which is set in January next year. That is why according to his father Ian, he is working really hard and is looking forward to their training camp set in Dumaguete city during the coming holidays.
Now only on his first year in Senior High, Andy is also thankful for the guidance of his coaches in DLSZ. “Without them my game would not have improved. I thank them for giving me a chance to develop as a footballer,’’ he said.
Andy still has a long way to realize his dreams as a footballer. Winning a title abroad with DLSZ is one dream fulfilled. The next one is playing for DLSZ in the UAAP and winning the title.
More dreams are to be fulfilled for Andy after the UAAP wars but as of the moment the hard work never stops. (jackbiantantambok@gmail.com)
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