Cebu Queen City United (CQCU) A pulled off a surprise as it prevailed against its archrival CrazyHorse in the Men’s Open competition of the 14th Aboitiz Football Cup yesterday at the Aboitiz Sports Field at the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City.
After always falling short, CQCU A finally edged CrazyHorse with 1-0 win courtesy of John Michael Flores on a counterattack in the 54th minute of the match.
CQCU lost the men’s league title to CrazyHorse two years ago in the 12th edition of the tournament.
The much-awaited match between the two teams did not disappoint spectators as it turned physical in the first half, which ended with no score.
Eugene Ynclino, one of the organizers, said it was won by the fitness of the team, to which CQCU A head coach Mario Ceniza agreed.
CQCU A practices every morning from Monday to Friday also at the Aboitiz Sports Field.
The team is making this tournament part of their preparation for the United Football League.
Ceniza said his team’s fitness and conditioning might have surprised CrazyHorse, which he said also has very good players like Joshua Fegidero, a former member of the Philippine Azkals.
With the win, CQCU solidified its hold of the top spot in bracket A with 12 points after winning all four of its assignments.
The loss was a first for CrazyHorse in two games.
Other matches in the bracket saw Don Bosco (DB) Magone and Erco winning their matches.
DB Magone finally barged into the win column with a 2-0 outsmarting of Sumaba FC. Erco, on the other hand, tallied its second win in the tournament with a 5-1 thrashing of Don Bosco United Football Club B.
In bracket B, the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) Alumni and DBUFC A took over the leaderboard with seven points each off two wins, one draw and no losses.
USJ-R routed Azco FC, 4-0, while DBUFC A whipped past San Roque Football Club Arsenal, 6-2.
The tournament will take a break for the Holidays and will resume next month.