Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (seated, fourth from left) welcomes the members of the Ateneo Grade School football team who will represent the city in the NCR regional championship next month. Photograph courtesy of Ateneo
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QC recognizes young Ateneo booters

TDT

The Ateneo Grade School football team paid a courtesy call to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte following its successful campaign in the National Capital Region (NCR) divisional tournament.

The young booters were happy as they shook the hand of the Quezon City chief, who was optimistic that they would do well in the NCR regional championship after they swept the divisional tournament last November at the Far Eastern University-Diliman football field.

Should they win the NCR regional championship next month, they will gain the right to represent the Big City in the 65th Palarong Pambansa in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

Niall Enciso said seeing Belmonte fired them up.

“We’re all excited to meet her. We thank her for the recognition and we’re looking forward to making Ateneo, our parents, our community, and the city proud in the upcoming tournament,” said Enciso, the Youth Football League Most Valuable Player.

Aside from Enciso, also part of the squad is team captain Sancho Bautista as well as Best Defender awardee Ryan Moti, Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot winner Jacob Navarro, Red Alminar, Miguel Tagarda, Jose Bernal, Zac Diaz, Niall Enciso, Sancho Bautista, Daniel Guerrero, Migo Achas, Matt Diaz, Marcus Cuyugan, Altis Villaseñor, Miggy Pineda, Max Unson, Anton Landicho and Ram Tuazon. They are being coached by Paul Madrona and Rafael Cruz.