In a display of sustained dominance, Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC) secured its fifth consecutive secondary division football championship in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) last Sunday, December 14, 2025. The celebratory mood, however, was later shattered by a chaotic brawl that forced the abandonment of the collegiate division final.
DBTC's Historic Fifth Consecutive Championship
The championship match, held at the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus, saw DBTC once again edge out its perennial rival, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC). The lone and decisive goal came from Raffael Isaac Kierulf in the 37th minute, sealing a tight 1-0 victory for DBTC. This win marks another remarkable chapter in the school's football legacy within the Cesafi league.
Collegiate Final Descends into Chaos
Later in the afternoon, what was meant to be the climax of the tournament turned into an ugly scene. The collegiate final between defending champion University of San Carlos (USC) and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) was abruptly called off.
The match, tied 1-1 after regulation, went into extra time where USC surged ahead 3-1. The trouble began with a scuffle in the second half of extra time. It rapidly escalated into a full-scale free-for-all, with players throwing punches and both teams' benches emptying onto the field.
"Not only the players but also spectators, including parents, joined the brawl," Cesafi tournament director Francis Ramirez confirmed to SunStar Cebu. "To calm things down, we decided to abandon the match."
Pending Sanctions and Match Outcome
Ramirez stated that the Cesafi board is awaiting the official referee's report before determining the final result of the championship and imposing disciplinary measures. Players and coaches involved face hefty fines of up to P10,000 and suspensions. In severe cases, the league could impose lifetime bans on those found most responsible.
The decision on both the disciplinary actions and the championship winner will be announced in the coming days following a thorough review. The incident casts a shadow over an otherwise successful season, highlighting the need for sportsmanship and control at all levels of competition.
