CENTRAL Visayas Football Association (CVFA) booked a spot in the semifinals of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Under-19 Boys National Championship Division 1 after finishing at the top of Group B following a 4-1 win over Panay Football Association (PFA) on June 29, 2023 at the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex in Talisay City.
Theo Libarnes was on top form and scored a hat-trick for CVFA. He hit the back of the net in the fifth, 61st and 65th minute-marks. Kamil Amirul added a goal in the 40th minute. Francis Botarava scored PFA’s lone goal in the first minute of added time in the second half.
Davao-South Regional Football Association (Dsrfa) finished second and earned the other semifinal spot after a 4-1 victory over Camiguin-Misamis Oriental Regional Football Association (Cmorfa). Matthaeus Lim scored a brace in the 57th and 68th minutes, while Rommer Paciente and Roent Sia added a goal each in the 38th and 88th minutes, respectively, for Dsrfa. Dave Dacillo hit Cmorfa’s only goal in the 74th minute.
On the other hand, Socsargen Football Association fought Zamboanga Del Norte Dipolog Football Association (Zandifa) to a 2-2 draw in a non-bearing match.
Zandifa took the early lead after scoring two goals in the opening half. Jovee Moywela hit the back of the net in the eighth minute and Carl Regañon added another just before halftime with a 43rd minute goal.
Socsargen FA, however, fought back in the second half and hit two straight goals in the 71st minute by Ody Pusoc and in the 88th minute by Harold Calandria Jr.
CVFA finished first in Group B with 13 points, while Dsrfa overtook PFA for the second spot with 10 points. PFA failed to advance to the semifinals after the loss to CVFA and finished third in the group with nine points. (EKA)