TARLAC City, Tarlac -- Despite of an earlier defeat to One La Salle, the Bukidnon Football Association (BUFA) of coach Guillier Sumampong lived up to expectations as the same team with logical threat to still challenge the latter for the maiden crown of the Luzon Cup 2019 football tournament at the Jose V. Yap Sports and Recreational Complex in San Jose, Tarlac.
This, after the undefeated One La Salle of Cameroonian coach Eric Sadou Yosse and Bukidnon scored contrasting wins on Saturday's (Nov. 24) semifinal round.
The One La Salle boys have to dig down into their bags full of tricks to turn back the hard- fighting RIFA Quezon City squad of veteran coach Bob Salvacion, 4-1. While the Bukidnon booters unleashed their might in the second half after a grueling first half battle to overcome Masbate of coach Rex Abella in this competition organized and sponsored by Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) president Ricky Yanson Jr.
One La Salle’s leading scorer Duke Punzalan scored an early goal in less than a minute of the match after a miscommunication among RIFA Quezon City defenders inside the penalty box.
However, the Claret School-powered RIFA Quezon City boys responded quickly as their own top scorer in 10-year old Filbert Martin Tacardon equalized in the 8th minute to finish the half at 1-1.
The One La Salle team, composed of players from De La Salle Zobel, De La Salle Greenhills and De La Salle Canlubang, pushed forward in the second half with a tight defense to score three more goals and a seat in the final.
Fritz Kennst Chun opened up the scoring in the second half for One La Salle as he scored in the 24th minute. Andre Bacolod then delivered the third goal in the 33rd and Punzalan completed the rout with his second goal of the match in the 48th minute.
“It was hard like a championship match. The boys really worked hard and followed instructions. I am happy for them and I am looking forward to meet Bukidnon in the championship this afternoon,’’ later said coach Eric Sandou.
The Bukidnon boys, made up of players from Camp Philips of Del Monte Company in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, meanwhile leaned on the brilliance of Mindanao Cup MVP Dairo Kurbe before they could dispose of Masbate.
Dairo scored another hattrick, including two booming shots near from the halfway line that saw Masbate’s goalkeeper Eljan Chavez scratching his head. He scored in the 8th, 18th and 43rd minutes.
Jimm Fabella and Cade Sanchez added two goals each while Loejay Jumamoy and Inigo Sevillejo added one goal apiece. Fabella scored in the 3rd and 34th minutes, while Sanchez’s goals came in the 6th and 36th minutes. Jumanoy and Sevillejo scored in the 32rd and 45th minutes, respectively.
“We are ready for One La Salle. For sure they will press us once again just like what they did in our first meeting during the elimination round. We are ready for them. My boys know what to do now,” said coach Sumampong when asked about their chances.
For his part, One La Salle coach Sandou said that he will do exactly what they did in the first meeting.
“We will press and watch out for their outstanding players,” he said.
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