Don SacreDale moves to finals

NEW FACE. This year’s newest team, Don SacreDale-Queen City United, booked a finals seat in the Aboitiz Cup men’s open in its first stint after beating USC-Queen City United. (SunStar photo/Allan Cuizon)
NEW FACE. This year’s newest team, Don SacreDale-Queen City United, booked a finals seat in the Aboitiz Cup men’s open in its first stint after beating USC-Queen City United. (SunStar photo/Allan Cuizon)

DON SACREDALE-QUEEN CITY UNITED won the most action-packed football match in recent years to book a finals seat against Leylam in the Aboitiz Men’s Open this Sunday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Don SacreDale survived reigning college champion University of San Carlos-Queen City United, 1-0, in a match that featured great saves by both keepers and one of the most dramatic finishes ever by Nicko Villacin, while former champion Leylam outlasted Makoto, 4-3, to advance to the final.

In the first game, John Daniel Caballero had the first chance of the night, hitting the top bar from an acute angle at left flank, but moments later, it was Terrence Colmenares’ turn to be tested as he fumbled a routine catch. Fortunately for USC, their defense cleared the ball before Karlo Villamor could get to the ball.

Terrence was also tested again from point-blank by Villacin, but the tide turned in USC’s favor as Enzo Ceniza’s vision and crisp passing allowed them to poke holes at Don SacreDale’s backline. However, they couldn’t get past the steady play of Leonard Tan with Bertram Musni coming close with another kiss of the crossbar from right flank.

Villacin also came close with a glancing header off a corner, but it was tapped out by Colmenares.

In the second half, it was Ceniza’s turn to test Tan, but his three attempts were all tapped out by Tan, including one from close distance off a drive.

Steven Patalinghug also tried to get cheeky, trying to catch an approaching Tan with a looping header, but it was too high.

With neither team getting a goal in regulation, the match went to extra time, and both teams also had early attempts inside the box only to be foiled by the keepers. However, with time running out, there was no foiling Villacin.

Staying at half-court as the play was on the other side, a quick counter and Wilfred Villaver’s lovely pass had Villacin all alone with only Colmenares to beat. He rushed towards the box, beating Colmenares to score in the last play of the game as the ref didn’t even bother to wait for a restart before blowing the final whistle.

After the game, Tan had to quickly leave to arrive in time for his work at Cebu IT Park.

In the second game, Marcus Kore scored two minutes into added time in the first half to give Leylam the lead, and Raffy Llorente doubled it in the 59th. However, Makoto got back as Ren Okuda scored in the 74th and Ismail Abdulmalik converted a penalty in the 75th. Leylam got the lead quickly with a penalty minutes later before Imran Hussain equalized in the 83rd with another penalty.

Again, it was short-lived as Leylam scored a minute later to set up an exciting finale against Don SacreDale-Queen City United this Sunday.

Before the Men’s Open match, division-favorite Don Bosco Boys Home will gun for the Boys 18 crown against Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu. (ML)

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