USJ-R, Xantos book finals seats in Aboitiz Cup

THE University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) and the 53rd Army advanced to the finals of the Men’s Cup of the 12th Aboitiz Football Cup after winning last Sunday at the Aboitiz Sports Field.

Four different players scored in USJ-R’s 4-2 win over Xantos FC, while the 53rd Army blanked Don Bosco Magone, 3-0.

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In the USJ-R vs. Xanthos match, both squads didn’t find their marks in the first half.

USJ-R exploded in the second half with Jose Mari Aberasturi scoring the match’s first goal in the 50th minute.

Xantos FC countered and evened the match at 1-1 with a goal by Jason Constanilla in the 73rd.

Dondon Agulo struck in the 80th minute to give USJ-R a 2-1 lead.

Xanthos responded a minute later when Constanilla struck his second goal.

USJ-R then had a last-minute run to seal the game with goals from Dave Intong and Harry Bordalba in the 85th and 88th minutes, respectively.

In the other semifinal match, Don Bosco Magone had no answer to the offensive prowess of the 53rd Army.

Harold Buot and Voltaire Montebon led the offensive of 53rd Army. Buot scored twice in the 27th and 33rd minutes, while Montebon contributed a goal in the 30th minute.

In other divisions, ERCO defeated San Roque FC (SRFC), 1-0, while Hiroshi destroyed SRFC-Arsenal, 4-0, in the semi-finals of the 38-and-above category.

ERCO will be facing Hiroshi in the finals.

The championship matches of the Men’s Cup and the 38-and-above categories will be on Jan. 30.