ERCO BRO, Leylam FC clash for men's open crown tonight -

CEBU, Philippines - The long awaited finals showdown between defending champion ERCO BRO Gau and Leylam FC in the premiere men's open division of the 17th Aboitiz Football Cup will finally take place today at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Game time is scheduled at 7 p.m.

Originally scheduled last June 28, the finale was postponed to a later date due to the heavy downpour that rendered the field unplayable.

It took ther organizing Cebu Football Association over one month to finalize everything as the two protagonists could not agree on the date they are both available until today.

Meanwhile, coaches of both squads are playing safe insofar as their chances of grabbing the coveted title are concerned.

ERCO's head coach Glen Ramos said the presence of their Manila-based players in former Philippine Azkals skipper Chieffy Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Ronnie Aguisanda, Mark Ferrer, and Dodong Villareal is not a guarantee they they will retain their crown. That is because some of their regular players including their Nigerian recruits are no longer with the team.

-On Leylam FC's end, coach Oliver Colina said that even if their lineup is intact, some of his wards are non in tip-top shape, while others are nursing from an injury.

Thus, it's going to be anybody's game, making the sudden-death title clash more exciting and something to watch out for. (FREEMAN)

http://www.philstar.com/cebu-sports/2015/08/13/1487603/erco-bro-leylam-fc-clash-mens-open-crown-tonight

Update :

Leylam Fc won 1-0 and will represent Cebu in PFF Smart qualifiers.

PFF Smart National Club Championship - NOFA qualifiers

The PFF SMART Provincial champion with mentor/coach John Carmona. CPSU beats Ceres La Salle today.
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Match report :

http://www.sancarloscity.org/news/cpsu-san-carlos-dethrones-ceres-la-salle/

By 

HENRY G. DOBLE

WILL the San Carlos City Booters get the right to wear the Negros Occidental Football Association (Nofa) uniform in the upcoming PFF-Smart Club Championship regionals?

Will defending champion Ceres-La Salle Varsity allow tough contender Central Philippine State University (CPSU) to dethrone them in the provincial qualifying at the Panaad Park and Stadium?

It will be answered on Sunday when the Lasallian Varsity tries to bounce back from their 1-2 opening loss against the San Carlos City squad of John Carmona. CPSU has become a concern for all Bacolod-based schools after finishing on top with a clean 4-0 win-loss record in the elimination round.

Nene Lazarito’s Ceres-La Salle Varsity was at striking distance, however, at No. 2 with 2-1-1 win-loss-draw card. CPSU completed its last assignment with a 6-2 blast of Kabankalan City FC while the defending champions were forced to a draw by long-time rival University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, two-all.

Hitmen for CPSU are Nino Aledro with two goals in the 64th and 80th minutes; John Elton de Arce (18’), Floric Boyonas (39’), Jeff Papparon (65’) and Vincent Ortegas (77’). The Southern Negros team relied on Oriel Tejada (2’) and Julious Ramirez (25’).

Stingers' Charles Ivan Barberan rolled in his ball in the 32nd minute to give the Lasallians a goal lead at the break. Rams' Archie Nemenzo scored the equalizer in the 59th minute.

The defending champion pushed harder and Joshua Dutosme fired the second goal in the 73rd minute. The never-say-die Marie Domecillo forced the draw in the 80+5’.

Lazarito will rely on Florence Agraviador, Regie Cisneros, Chang Ki, Harunori Aoki, Warren Bedia, Angelo Bahoyan, Elimona Usman, John Mark Jamelo, Shane Sarmiento, Joebel Siason, Ashli Pamilar, Carlos Pinote, Van Llyod Baguioro, Floric Boyonas and Karl de Jesus.

Carmona’s CPSU will be bannered by Angelo Padilla, Jasper Layagon, Charles Emeji, Jimmy Malalo-an, Adrian Tiongson, Vendell Marcellana, Archie Pamilar, Maji Taniform, Diomar Caruscay, Julianne Paolo Caraballe, John Kenneth Rafael, Jordan Junco, and Karl de Jesus.

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on August 06, 2015.

Phil Younghusband-less Loyola Meralco Sparks blank Global FC to rule PFF-Smart National Club Championship

From: Karlo Sacamos

DELIVERING in the most important match of the tournament -- without its leading scorer -- surely deserves the distinction as the best club in the country. Loyola Meralco bucked the absence of Phil Younghusband to stun Global FC, 2-0, and claim the Philippine Football Federation-Smart Club National Championship crown on Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. With Younghusband sidelined with an injury for most of the match, Loyola found an unlikely offensive spark from defender Eddie Mallari and eventual Golden Ball winner Matthew Hartmann to blank their fancied opponents. It was the Sparks’ first conquest of a major competition since ruling the United Football League Cup last year and first under coach Simon McMenemy. For a while, though, the Sparks seemed ready to fall short in the football season-opening tournament  after Younghusband, who had scored in all of the Sparks' matches in the tournament, had to leave with an apparent hamstring injury just 14 minutes into the finale played before a sizeable crowd at Rizal. Global also looked poised to grab the title after dethroning defending champion Ceres-La Salle, 3-1, in a nerve-wracking semifinal showdown last Thursday. But Mallari, a recent acquisition tasked to shore up the Loyola defense, shone on offense with a strike off a connection between Roxy Dorlas and Hartmann three minutes after Younghusband came off. Hartmann, who had been a fantastic facilitator at the left wing the entire tournament, was on the receiving end this time with a conversion in the 57th minute on the way to winning the MVP and the Best Midfielder awards, deservingly. Loyola teammates Joaco Cañas and Tomas Trigo also bagged plums, taking Best Defender and Best Goalkeeper awards, respectively. Global striker Izo El-Habib gained a consolation as the Best Striker with seven goals for a squad that had scored the most goals in the competition with 23 before being shut out in the finale.

Read more at: http://www.spin.ph/football/news/phil-younghusband-less-loyola-meralco-sparks-blank-global-fc-to-rule-pff-smart-national-club-championship

PFF Smart National Club Championship : Stalllion 0-5 Ceres (Third place match)

PFF Smart National Club Championship , THIRD PLACE MATCH

Stallion vs Ceres at Rizal Memorial Stadium


Start 4 pm

0-1 Gallardo (Ceres )
0-2 Burkey
0-3 Gallardo
0-4 Gallardo
0-5 Gallardo

0-5 FT

Global staves off Steuble's missed penalty, dethrones Ceres

By Ivan Saldajeno

Global ends a series of heartbreaks against Ceres with a 3-1 PFF-Smart Club Championship semifinal win at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila City.

Substitute Dennis Villanueva drilled in the go-ahead goal for the reigning UFL champion late in the extra session, while Mark Hartmann later sealed the win as Global got a sigh of relief after newcomer Martin Steuble missed a penalty seconds into stoppage time in the second half.

Manny Ott quickly put Ceres, the erstwhile PFF-Smart Club Championship winner, on top in the second minute after he saw an opening and struck the ball home.

But Mark Hartmann answered in the 48th minute as he found an opening in Ceres' back line and shot the equalizer from just inside the box.

Ceres got good chances to steal the win midway to the second half as Oladipo Okunaiya made two attempts which Patrick Deyto both stopped.

Global, on the other hand, threatened with a left flank shot that Louie Casas cleared out beautifully.

However, Global conceded a penalty as Richard Talaroc fouled Patrick Reichelt inside the box with a minute left in regulation.

Steuble, who, according to Coach Ali Go prior to the game, was expected to play limited minutes off the bench in his first Philippine professional football match, took the penalty kick, but his free shot sailed over the bar, keeping Global in the game. It eventually ended 1-all after regulation.

Villanueva, who checked in just before the second added time, put Global up for good at the 112th minute as he fired a shot from the right side of the box that got past Casas.

Two minutes later, Hartmann completed the brace with another goal off a Global fastbreak to secure the victory.

Global will face Loyola in the final Saturday night. Earlier in the day, Ceres and Stallion dispute third place.

- See more at: http://www.dugout.ph/2015/01/global-staves-off-steubles-missed-penalty-dethrones-ceres.html#sthash.EZrmu1C7.dpuf

Younghusband lifts Loyola over Stallion in extra time -

By Ivan Saldajeno

Loyola needed 30 more minutes before dispatching a gritty Stallion side, 2-1, to book the first PFF-Smart Club Championship final seat at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila City.

Phil Younghusband drilled the go-ahead goal for Loyola in the fifth minute of extra time.

Matthew Hartmann drew first blood for Loyola early in the first half.

But Simone Rota equalized later in the period as he struck from inside the box.

Both clubs failed to score in the second half, although Fitch Arboleda and Graham Caygill had good looks late in the period.

Sean Bateau, however, fouled Younghusband from just outside the box early in the extra period. Bateau, who incurred a yellow card earlier in the match, was sent off.

Younghusband, who took the free kick, bent the ball past the wall and Henri Fong for the eventual game-winner.

- See more at: http://www.dugout.ph/2015/01/younghusband-lifts-loyola-over-stallion.html#sthash.7pESlJAS.qoiKHkuh.dpuf

PFF Smart National Club Championship - Semifinals

SEMIFINALS THURSDAY

Rizal Memorial Stadium , Manila

4 PM : STALLION 1-2 AET LOYOLA

7 PM : GLOBAL 3-1 AET CERES

YouTube - PFF Smart Nat Club Championship : Loyola vs Kaya

PFF Smart National Club Championship - Tuesday

PFF Smart National Club Championship - Tuesday


4 pm ; Global 9-0 Erco

7 pm : Stallion 10-1 M'lang Fc

STANDINGS

Global 7 points  + 19
Stallion 7 points  + 12
Erco 1 point  - 13
M'Lang Fc 1 point  -19

Global- Ceres on Thursday in semifinals at 7 pm
Stallion -  Loyola on Thursday in semifinals at 4 pm

Loyola enters PFF-Smart semis after 2-2 draw with Kaya

By Ivan Saldajeno

Loyola moved on to the semifinals of the PFF-Smart Club Championship despite being held by Kaya to a 2-2 draw in their match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila City.

Kaya, which needed a win to bolster its own chance of making the semis, drew first blood when Miguel Tanton scored in the 23rd minute.

But Matthew Hartmann scored one back for Loyola seconds later and Phil Younghusband put Loyola up later in the first half.

O.J. Porteria, who came in as a substitute, immediately stepped on the gas at the resumption of play, only to be stopped by Tomas Trigo.

Kaya continued to threaten later in the second half as the club took control of the game for most of the period.

Jovin Bedic finally put Kaya back in the game at the 65th minute as he found a hole in the Loyola defense and shot a long-range effort that went in.

Louis Clark had the best chance of putting Kaya up for good as he tried to chip in a shot against a committing Trigo. Clark's chance, however, just narrowly went off left.

Younghusband found himself free for a potential go-ahead goal for Loyola, but Nick O'Donnell made a fantastic save.

The match concluded in an intriguing moment as the referee interrupted Kaya's final attack and handed James Younghusband a yellow card for dissenting to a non-call.

Loyola finished the quarterfinals with seven points and will finish first in Group A regardless of the result of the Ceres-Laos, which is ongoing as of writing.

- See more at: http://www.dugout.ph/2015/01/loyola-enters-pff-smart-semis-after-2-2-draw.html#sthash.DxIh3LIC.eILfKENx.dpuf

PFF Smart National Club Championship - Monday

PFF Smart National Club Championship - Monday

Group A.
Loyola 2-2 Kaya
23 mins 0-1 Bedic (Kaya)
24 mins 1-1 Hartmann (Loyola)
36 min 2-1 Phil Younghusband (Loyola)
65 mins 2-2 Bedic (Kaya)

Ceres 1-0 Laos
1-0 Reichelt (Ceres)


Standings :

Loyola 7 points
Ceres 6 points
---------------------
Kaya 4 points
Laos 0 points

Loyola and Ceres to semifinals on Thursday

Stallion holds Global to a 1-1 draw

Jaelle Nevin Reyes

MANILA, Philippine – Stallion FC managed to hold off powerhouse Global FC into a 1-1 draw in Group B of the Philippine Football Federation-Smart National Club Championship at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium (RMFS) on Sunday, January 25.

The start of the match was marked with a series of attacks from both sides as the opposing clubs aim to snatch the lead in their group but after 45 minutes of action, no goals were scored and the game was held in a 0-0 standstill going into the break.

As play resumed, Global’s offense went to full gear resulting to a goal by Satoshi Otomo, who struck the ball inside the box to beat the Stallion FC keeper in the 59th minute.

Stallion, however, did not lose hope in their cause to notch a score of their own as Nguene Landry found a clear path towards to goal to send the ball to the back of the net for an equalizer.

Both squads went toe-to-toe until the dying minutes of regulation but the formidable defenses of the two clubs prevented another mark to be etched in the game’s tally.

Despite both having a 1-0-1 win-loss-draw record, Global still holds on to the top spot of their group due to a higher goal difference as a result of their 10-0 win against M’lang last January 23 while Stallion closely follows on second place.

Meanwhile, the battle between North Cotabato’s M’lang FC and Cebu’s Erco-Bro FC also ended in a draw with both squads recording two goals each. 2-2.

The two non-UFL teams still have a mountain to climb, as they are yet to grab a win in the national group stage of the football tilt.

Group A action of the tournament will continue tomorrow, January 26, with the big match between top squads Kaya FC and Loyola Meralco Sparks FC at 4pm followed by the game between Ceres La-Salle FC and Laos FC at 7pm, both at the RMFS. – 

Rappler.com

PFF National Club Championship - Sunday

4 pm Global Fc 1-1 Stallion

Global XI 1 Deyto 2 Bonney 5 Martinez 8 Villanueva 9 Bahadoran 10 Elhabib 14 Minegishi 25 Talaroc 57 Yanagawa 63 Barbaso 93 Hoshide

Global subs 22 Badelic 12 Aguinaldo 23 Hartmann 29 Kanayama 99 Otomo


Stallion Xi

27 Fitch Johnson Arboleda
18 David Basa
99 Sean Bateau
11 Mario Javier Clarino
9 Ruben Doctora Jr
17 Shirmar Felongco
22 Henri Bandeken Fong
29 Loius Serge Kaole
7 Nguene Landry
23 Ameachi Mbata
16 Simone Rota



0-0 HT
59 mins 1-0 Otomo (Global)
73 mins 1-1 Landry (Stallion)
1-1 FT


7 pm Erco (Cebu ) 2-2 M'LAng Fc (North Cotabato)

Global, Stallion brace for key duel

By Cedelf P. Tupas

GLOBAL flashed ruthless form in dumping regional qualifier M’lang, 10-0, Friday night to grab the early lead in Group B of the PFF Smart Club Championship at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Stallion also notched its first win at the expense of Erco Bro of Cebu, 5-1, in a warmup to a keenly awaited duel with Global.

A member of the Teknika side that ruled the tournament in 2011, Izzo El Habbib scored twice like Japanese midfielder Hikaru Minegishi as Global dominated the North Cotabato side.

The outcome was already sealed before halftime with Global firing four goals in the first 45 minutes.

Doctora back

Stallion drew inspiration from skipper Ruben Doctora who played his first game since undergoing knee surgery last June.

Doctora knocked the opening goal in the fourth minute, setting the tone for the rout by Stallion.

Landry Nguene struck twice for Stallion which also got goals from OJ Clarino and another from new signing Emmanuel Mbata.

Global got off to a fiery start with new recruit Masaki Yanagawa powering home a header off a corner kick in the fourth minute.

Dennis Villanueva, Raul Martinez and Mark Hartmann were also on target in the first half before Yu Hoshide and Satoshi Otomo sealed the rout with late goals.

Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/171959/global-stallion-brace-for-key-duel#ixzz3PmjJ2cSA

PFF Smart National Club Championship Saturday and Sunday

PFF Smart National Club Championship Saturday and Sunday

RIZAL MEMORIAL STADIUM

SATURDAY

4 PM KAYA 6-0 LAOS

Kaya 6, Laos 0 Beloya 45+1' Bedic 45+2' Porteria 50' Greatwich 54' Clark 77' Osei 80'


7 PM CERES 0-1 LOYOLA

0-1 Phil Younghusband
0-1 FT

Global FC wallops M'lang FC, 10-0, to kick off PFF-Smart Club Championship bid

From: Karlo Sacamos


GLOBAL FC stamped its class in walloping M’lang FC of Cotabato, 10-0, on Friday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium to set its title bid in the Philippine Football Federation-Smart Club National Championship in motion. Underlining its status as Ceres-La Salle’s top title threat, the reigning United Football League champions leaned on an early lead and never looked back against the lone Mindanao representative in the tournament for the shutout victory. Mark Hartmann, Izzo El-Habib, and Hikaru Minegishi each registered a brace, while Dennis Villanueva, Raul Martinez, Satoshi Otomo, and Yu Hoshide were also on target for Global, which gained three points for the early lead on goal difference in Group B over Stallion FC. The Stallions also emerged victorious in their first match, tripping another provincial squad in Cebu’s Erco-Bro, 5-1, earlier in the day. Hartmann opened the floodgates four minutes into the game, before fellow national team pool member Dennis Villanueva doubled the lead in the 13th minute. After Martinez added to the count seven minutes later, Hartmann scored his second goal in the 32nd minute. Global sustained its onslaught in the second half with six more goals despite seeing a more spirited challenge from M’lang. “At four-zero, the game was done, but they (M’lang) kept going, so you have to give them respect for keeping the game going,” Global coach Leigh Manson said. New acquisition Nguene Landry fired a brace, while Ruben Doctora, OJ Clarino, and Emmanuel Mbata also found the back of the net for the Stallions.

Read more at: http://www.spin.ph/football/news/global-fc-wallops-mlang-fc-10-0-to-kick-off-pff-smart-club-championship-bid

PFF Smart Nat Club Championship - Friday

PFF Smart Nat Club Championship today at RMS : 
Erco-Bro 1-5 Stallion
Stallion goals : Doctora Jr, OJ Clarino , Landry (2), Mbata
Global 10-0 M'lang 

Goalscorers:
Hartmann 4' 32'
Villanueva 13'
Martinez 20'
Elhabib 61' 70'
Minegishi 66' 86'
Otomo 79'
Hoshide 88'

Ceres FC escapes Kaya's late game rally

Jaelle Nevin Reyes

MANILA, Philippines - Defending national champs Ceres-La Salle FC escaped the late game wrath of Kaya FC, 3-2, to kick off the final group stage of the Philippine Football Federation-Smart National Club Championship at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium on Thursday, January 22.

The two clubs exchanged blows in the opening minutes of the match as both were eager to tuck in the a game day win for their proud colors.

Hungry to defend their crown, Ceres FC's offense went full throttle resulting into a goal by Nate Burkey from the far left in the 32nd minute to give the champs a 1-0 lead early in the first half.

In an effort to retaliate and even the scoreline, Kaya scrambled their jets lead by high scoring Louis Clark in plight of tallying a goal but no more goals were sank going into the half.

A determined Ceres FC came out of the locker room after the break as Angelo Marasigan double their lead to 2-0 after intercepting a weak pass from the backline of their foes.

The match continued with Ceres FC's relentless attacks on the tiring defense of Kaya FC, with the latter sending several outbursts of their own but the Bacolod-based team took the better end of the exchange.

It was a busy night for Kaya's goalkeeper Nick O'Donnell as another goal was sank by Burkey to further extend the lead of Ceres to 3-0.

As the time expired for the meeting of the two UFL division 1 clubs, Kaya FC's frontline finally found their rhythm as Jovin Bedic scored two consecutive goals to cut the lead to just a solitary goal, 3-2.

The late game blitz of Kaya FC proved to be too weak as the defense of Ceres prevented them from salvaging a draw.

Meanwhile, the Loyola Meralco Sparks FC outmatched Laos FC, 4-0, to tally a win of their own in Group A. - 

Rappler.com

National football tilt resumes

Jaelle Nevin Reyes

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Football Federation-Smart National Club Championship will resume on Thursday, January 22 for its round of eight stage at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The national group round of the countrywide football meet will banner the top eight football clubs that underwent the elimination round in several locations around the country during the past months.

The remaining teams will be divided into two groups with the defending champions of the nationwide tourney Ceres-La Salle FC seeded in Group A while UFL champs Global are in Group B. Meanwhile, remaining teams Loyola FC and Kaya FC, both representing the UFL and the NCRFA, will form Group A together with Laos FC of Leyte. M'lang FC of North Cotabato, Erco-Brothers FC of Cebu and Stallion FC of Iloilo will form the rest of Group B.

"I think its a tough group but I think I'm getting used to it because we always end up in a tough group. I think its gonna be very exciting and we're looking forward to it," said Ceres FC club director Ali Go during the pre-tournament press conference at the PFF headquarters.

He added that they cannot be complacent.

"Pressure is always there especially now were back-to-back champions. But anything can happen," he stated.

Consequently, local football powerhouse Global FC, who is still yet to add a national crown unto their list of victories, aims to take their rivals on their group head on.

"We cannot be complacent. We'll prepare the same for the Stallion game and with the other teams. We're not taking this group lightly," according to head coach Leigh Manson.

Group A will have matches on the 22nd and the 24th while Group B will have their games on the 23rd and 25th.

The first match date on Thursday for Group A will feature a bout between Loyola FC and Laos FC followed by Ceres FC versus Kaya FC.

Admission is free for all the games for the tournament. – Rappler.com

PFF Smart National Club Championships to kick off Thursday

Ryan Fenix, special to InterAksyon.com 

The 2015 PFF-SMART National Club Championships is set to kick off at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium on Thursday with eight teams competing for the right to be hailed the best club in the country.

Eight participating teams will be divided into two groups of four, with United Football League powerhouse squads Ceres-La Salle and Global FC as the only seeded teams in the competition.

Reigning UFL champion Global got an outright slot in Group A, while defending national club champion Ceres is seeded in Group B.

The rest of the teams include M’lang representing the North Cotabato, Erco-Brothers for Cebu, Stallion for Iloilo, Laos for Leyte, and Kaya FC and Loyola Meralco Sparks from the UFL.

The final draw will be made during the team manager’s meeting set on Wednesday, 10 a.m. at the PFF office.

The competition format could also allow one group to be comprised of UFL first division teams, providing fans exciting football action should it happen.

According to PFF-Smart National Club Championships general coordinator Ritchie Gannaban, Group A games will be held on January 22, 24, and 26, while Group B games will be played on January 23, 25, and 27. Kick-off times are at 4 p.m. and at 7 p.m.

Semifinals and finals are slated on January 29 and January 31, respectively.

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/pff-smart-national-club-championships-to-kick-off-thursday