MANILA – The heat is definitely on as groupings and draftees were finalized at the draft night for adobo Cup 7, adobo magazine‘s annual 5-a-side football tourney.
Held at Skinny Mike’s Sports Bar at Bonifacio Global City, the draft night saw a record of 24 teams confirming, continuing the adobo Cup’s upward trend in its seven-year history.
(L-R) adobo’s Janelle Squires with adobo Cup founders Bob Guerrero, Miguel Mercado, and Bixie Reyes. Not in photo are founders Caloy Sambrano and Angel Guerrero
Teams were drawn into six groups of four teams each, with ad agency teams filling the slots for groups A to C, and teams from media, production, and others occupying slots for groups D to F.
Over 40 players were drafted into 17 teams, with AFC’s Ebong Joson emerging as the top draft pick by expansion team Cheil/Samsung, who was first in line at the fish bowl. Teams with complete line-ups waived their right to draft additional players.
Registered players at the adobo Cup 7 draft night
This year, adobo Cup 7 will be held on June 28, 2014 at the Gatorade-Chelsea FC Blue Pitch at Circuit Makati. In the run-up to the game, teams are responsible for confirming the availability of their respective draftees and coordinating practice times.
Since it first started in 2008, the adobo Cup has grown to become the most hotly anticipated event in the industry’s sports calendar. Every year, players from advertising, media, production, and TV networks face off in a spirited football tournament that takes place over one day and fosters fierce but friendly competition among participants.
Last year’s tournament saw the team from Design by Jaycee taking home the coveted DOBO trophy, winning against 20 teams in what was (then) the biggest ever adobo Cup.
Supporting this year’s tournament is Globe Telecom, whose corporate football team is coached by Green Archers United left winger and Azkals midfielder Chieffy Caligdong.
As in previous years, the adobo Cup will benefit FutKal Philippines, a non-profit organization that aims to promote football in the Philippines at the grassroots level. This year, proceeds from the game will go to Field of Hope, an initiative of FutKal Philippines that aims to help rebuild the lives of Typhoon Haiyan survivors through football.
Extended deadline for submission of final player rosters is on June 20, at 12 noon. Those who have not paid the P4,000 registration fee may do so before this deadline. For questions or concerns, contact Kriss Luciano at 09178044053.
The adobo Cup 7 is presented by adobo magazine in cooperation with Globe Telecom, Gatorade, St. Luke’s Medical Hospital, Executive Decisions, and Chelsea FC.
