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Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Hapee-Cebu makes semis of nat’l. open
By Patrick C. Costelo
Sun.Star Correspondent
VISAYAS finalist Hapee-Cebu Football Association utterly dominated Masbate, 3-0, for its second consecutive win to top Bracket A and nab a semifinal ticket yesterday in the Philippine Men’s National Football Championship at the Philsports Ultra in Pasig City.
Cebu’s line-up, reinforced by the Cebuano Philippine Army booters Rocky Garciano, Billy Estrella and Ariel Rositt, reined in Masbate as the first half progressed. But scoring started 10 minutes after halftime as Limar Baunsit converted the team’s first goal in the 55th minute.
Rositt slammed in the game’s second goal 20 minutes later in the 75th as the former RP team striker Glen Ramos-coached Cebu team cruised to an undefeated elimination round.
Just as the dogged Masbate stepped up, Garciano sent a bullet through the defense in the 83rd for the dagger, putting Cebu a win ahead of Bracket A No.2 team Bacolod (Negros Occidental), which bagged a win and a draw in its first two elimination games.
“With today’s win, Cebu qualified for the semis. They have to win against Negros Occidental (7:30 a.m. today) to top our bracket to play Bracket B’s No.2 team in the crossover semis and get a bigger chance of reaching the championships,” said CFA president Jonathan Maximo.
The 17-man Hapee-CebuFA earlier beat Zamboanga del Norte in the tournament’s opening day last Sunday.
“On paper, Cebu is much stronger than Bacolod. Bacolod managed only a tie against Zamboanga del Norte (0-0), which we beat by 4-0, so there is no reason for Cebu to lose. Let’s all hope and pray for the best of Cebu,” said Maximo.
In Group B, NCR similarly bagged its first two games to enter the semis while Cagayan de Oro is second with two draws. Davao and Laguna are tied at third with one draw and one loss each.
Masbate faces Zamboanga del Norte after the opening game between Cebu and Bacolod while NCR takes on Cagayan in the first afternoon game as Laguna faces Davao in the main game.
Cebu previously bid to host the competition, which lasts until March 6, but lost to Manila with the lack of venue. The Cebu City Sports Center field is in poor condition while the only other possible venue, University of San Carlos-Technology Center has no bleachers.
(March 2, 2004 issue)
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