Cebuano booters prevail in opener of Suzuki Cup

CEBU opened its campaign in the Visayas leg of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Suzuki Cup U23 with a bang after demolishing Leyte, 4-1, yesterday at the Leyte Sports Complex.

Rikko Cedric de Guzman scored a hat-trick to give Cebu its first victory in the tournament.

He scored his first two goals in the first half and his third goal in the second half. Agapito Baclaan sealed the win for Cebu.

Leyte scored its lone goal via a penalty kick in the first half.

Cebu is represented by the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R), which won the Men’s U23 title of the 14th Aboitiz Football Cup. The team is beefed up with seven players from other schools.

Meanwhile, in Dumaguete, Negros Occidental Football Association, represented by players from Bacolod, thrashed Negros Oriental Football Association manned by players from Dumaguete, 4-1. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON