Negros booters earn PFF Suzuki U23 semis berth

AFTER demolishing the visiting Dipolog-Zamboanga del Norte squad with an 8-1 blast Sunday, Ceres-Negros Selection booters proved themselves to be the strongest squad in Group A of the ongoing Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Suzuki Under-23 National Cup quarterfinals at the Panaad Park and Stadium football pitch in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

Fil-American striker Joshua Beloya led the host-Negrense offense with five goals, backed by Aldrin Dolino with two and Jovin Bedic’s lone goal.


Dolino opened the host’s attack, as he nailed the squad’s first goal in the 5th minute, followed by Bedic’s goal in the 22nd minute of play.

Beloya got the scoring tempo, as he nailed five consecutive goals in the 30th, 39th, 44th, 46th, and 48th minutes.

On the part of Dipolog, it was only Sergio Pellerin who scored the squad’s lone goal in the 63rd minute.

In the other game, the National Capital Region (NCR) Team B prevailed over Masbate, 1-0.

NCR’s Federico Rabaya scored the squad’s and eventually the match’s only goal in the 22nd minute of the game.

Masbate had to make a major adjustment on their play, after missing the services of David Fornea who led the squad’s victory in its match against Dipolog last Friday with his goal in the 5th minute of the match.


However, in that game, Fornea was slapped with a two-games suspension after an outright red card.


In Group B, Davao trashed NCR Team A, 4-0, at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños in Laguna, finally ousting the latter team from contention.


Davao, the Mindanao regional leader, came out with a lot more intensity after nearly losing to Laguna in their opening match.


The Davaoeños, coached by Alvic Troyo, scored their first goal with an outside volley by midfielder Nur Mentang in the 22nd minute.


But after NCR defender Enzo Bonoan was sent off with a red card for a reckless tackle, Davao took advantage of their manpower as they poured it on in the second half.


Al-dina Tiburon added the insurance goal in the 57th minute that broke the Manileños’ backs. Joven Benitez and Reyelle Pino tacked on two more goals in the 72nd and 89th minute.


NCR’s forward Matteo Yuhico was second player to be red-carded.


In the main match at the Laguna group quarterfinals, the homeside drew 1-1 with fancied Iloilo.


A Lawrence Gatasi strike in the 67th minute gave Laguna the edge over Iloilo. But head coach Marjo Allado’s boys leveled the match in the 82nd minute after midfielder Michael Poras found a crease in the defense.

The Ilonggos, on Friday, destroyed NCR Team A in their first game, 7-0. (JSG)


Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on May 09, 2011.