06 January 2013

Baguio United battles Gen. Trias for QF berth


Sunday, January 6, 2013
FOLLOWING its remarkable run during the eliminations up until reaching the Luzon Cluster competition, Baguio United Football Club will eye another magic run in the PFF Smart National Club Championships resumes on January 12.
The BUFC, representing Baguio City Football Association will be gunning for a quarterfinals berth when the they face a formidable Gen. Trias International FC squad in their round of 16 matches at the BSU football grounds which starts at 3 p.m.
“Gen Trias is a strong team composed mainly of Korean players where they reached the semis n the recently concluded UFL Cup,” said BUFC’s Homer Alinsug.
“BUFC is underdog but will capitalize on home court advantage and mile high atmosphere. If we win we proceed to quarter finals, if we lose that’s it for us,” added Alinsug.
BUFC is expected to be bannered by MarkLusung (form RP youth team), Friday Okoro (Goshenland Cup MVP) and Ali Kore (Center Back) including Farah when they face Gen Trias.
After its runner-up finish in the Luzon Clusters, BUFC once again scored their way in the round of 16 after scoring two key victories in the All - Luzon Championships.
Baguio United actually dominated ABC Stars FC, 5-2 but was once again shut down by its tormentor in the North Central Luzon Clusters, Flame United FC of Cavite, 2-1.
The BCFA representative however bounced back with a 4-2 victory against Masbate FFA to secure another seat in the round of 16 for a 2-1 win loss card during the championships last year.
Similar to the previous tournament, the Smart National Club championships this year will have to hurdle the clusters eliminations up to the area championships to reach the round of 16.
In the Round of 16, qualified teams will be divided into two groups with the top 8 UFL teams will comprise the first group and the remaining two UFL teams will join the six regional qualifiers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in the second group.
There will be another drawing of lots for the quarterfinal round and if a provincial team will face a UFL club, that game will be hosted by provincial football associations.
The Provincial Football Association (PFA) teams who make the quarterfinal round will be given a transfer window to allow teams to add or drop eight players for their 25-man squad to help boost the provincial teams. (Roderick Osis)

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on January 07, 2013

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