|
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Negros, Cebu win in opener
DEFENDING champion Negros Occidental and top-seed National Capital Region-Philippine Air Force got off to winning starts against stubborn opponents in Day One matches of the 2004 PFF/Superferry National Championship last Sunday at the Ateneo pitch in Katipunan.
Negros striker Joshua "Jun-Jun" Fegidero took advantage of an unsettled and out-of-groove Masbate defense and sent the ball into the back of the net just 11 minutes into the match to give his team the goal that would give it three-points on the table.
JR Marcaida of Masbate and FEU keeper bravely kept his squad in the contest with wonderful saves, including one from a penalty kick in the 43rd minute by Richard Cañedo, but the Masbate offense lacked the finishing to salvage a preferred draw.
NCR/PAF and Laguna went at each other from the kick-off. And although the 3-1 scoreline may indicate a comfortable victory for NCR - it was anything but as the referee allowed both squads to engage in traditional Barotac gusto with no-blood-no-foul football.
The initial 45 minutes, tied at 1-1 after the first 10 minutes, was physical-to-rough as both teams attempted to dominate each other. But two fine strikes by NCR's Randy Bela-ong in the 53rd and 64th minutes sapped Laguna's fighting heart.
While 80 percent of the teams were content in playing "kapkapan" football, not so with the conquering Cebuanos who found the back of the net four times under 60 minutes against a listless Dipolog squad.
Visayan attack football went on display as Limar Baunsit (21st/41st minutes), Glen Ramos (44th) and Marcos Larrazabal (59th) sent Dipolog defenders backpedaling throughout the match.
Team Davao's debut was shaky. Billed as one of the giant-killers of the tournament, Davao had to play catch up and was lucky to salvage a 2-2 draw with Dodong Mortillero's strike in the 70th minute against a stouthearted Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental team. Pops Vilela, Davao's disappointed head coach blamed it on overconfidence. CDO-MO head coach Jo Lapuz couldn't hide his glee; it was a good result for his squad.
(March 2, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
