Cebu blanks Leyte, 5-0

DESPITE losing two of its key players to red cards the other day, Cebu made up for the loss with its bench players stepping up to rout Leyte, 5-0, in the Philippine Football Federation-Suzuki U-23 National Cup in Dumaguete City.

“It was expected that we will win the game,” Cebu 23-Under Men’s team coach Eleazar Toledo told Sun.Star Cebu.

Cebu was without midfielder Jess Rey Melgo and defender Edmar Galacio, who were both kicked out of the Cebu’s match with Bacolod City last Saturday.


“I used the subs and they played good football, patiently attacking and building up the game,” he said.

Starters Joven Reyes, Joseph Rodriguez and Jephunneh Pelanio scored a goal each, while reserves Jeibel Pelanio and John Sulib also added a goal each.

With the win, Cebu earned three points and showed signs of little hope of possibly contending for the championship. Cebu trails Dumaguete City by two goals after the hosts lost to Bacolod City, 3-0.

Cebu is playing host team Dumaguete City in a do-or-die match today at 3 p.m.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on April 18, 2011.