ERCO Bro kept its hold of the top spot in the Men’s Open Division 1 of the AboitizLand Football Cup after routing Don Sacredale, 4-0, at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu field on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020.
Erco Bro, which is playing in the division for the first time after skipping it for a couple of years, stays at the top spot with a three-win, one-draw record good for 10 points.
Stephen Okeke struck twice in the 34th and 37th minute to tow Erco Bro to a 2-0 halftime lead, while Zahani Anisano and Epifanio Ynot added two more in the 63rd and 79th minute to complete the rout.
On the other hand, Makoto FC becomes the recipient of an easy win for the second straight week to stay at second place with nine points. The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) failed to show up in their match, giving Makoto an easy win via forfeit. Makoto also won via forfeit last week when the University of San Carlos (USC) pulled out of the division.
Since USC played Leylam, 5-1, Makoto and the rest of the teams in the divisions were also awarded a 5-1 win. USJ-R has played twice and organizers are hoping the team will get the greenlight from university officials to play next week.
Meanwhile, defending champion Leylam FC routed the University of Cebu (UC), 6-1, for its second win in the division.
Janry Acaso and Mohamed Soumah gave Leylam a 2-0 lead early in the first half with goals in the 14th and 26th minute before Kurt Cuizon got UC back in the game with a 33rd-minute goal for a 2-1 count at halftime.
But in the second half, Leylam simply was too much for UC, which opened its campaign last week with a 3-2 win over Don Sacredale. Soumah struck again a minute into the second half, while Ares Duarte made it 4-1 in the 68th. Kore Marius joined in the scoring frenzy in the 76th minute, while Leo Maquiling nailed in the final goal in the 82nd.
With the impressive win, the defending champion jumped to third from fifth place with seven points on two wins and a draw, two points behind the second-placer Makoto.
Both UC and Don Sacredale have six points, with UC ahead only on goal difference. (ML)