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Thursday, March 04, 2004
NCR boots out CMOFA, 5-1
By Jaime A. Frias
Local booters score the first goal before losing steam
THE Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Football Association (CMOFA) booters go home empty-handed after being routed on Tuesday by NCR, 5-1 at the close of the elimination round of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Finals at the Ateneo de Manila football field.
The homeground squad's only consolation was scoring the first goal before its powerhouse rival from the National Capital Region took decisive action in the remainder of the lopsided match.
"but at least the boys were able to surprise them in the opening salvo. We take that as a consolation prize," coach Joe Lapuz told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro in a text message.
The Modtrade-backed skybooters played in two-straight draws against Laguna and Davao that put them in second place of the team standing before yielding to NCR, arguably a heavy contender for the national title.
CMOFA president, lawyer Allan Abellanosa said the debacle is but normal for a neophyte team from the province.
"It's okay because we are the surprise team in the national finals. After all, we're the No. 1 of the underdog teams competing in the national finals based on performance," Abellanosa said.
In retrospect, Lapuz added that a near-miss against Laguna who crawled back from 0-2 deficit in holding CMOFA to a 2-2 deadlock was the drawback in their bid to move in the crossover matches.
The victory booked NCR the top semifinal slot in Bracket A with a perfect slate, 3-0. The winner between Davao and Laguna will join NCR in the crossover round against the Bracket B survivors.
(March 4, 2004 issue)
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