KTEC collars men’s open title in 2nd Sinulog Football Cup
EXPERIENCE prevailed as the KTEC Trading trounced newly formed team Panalpina World Transport A, 3-0, to clinch the Men’s Open title of the 2nd Sinulog Football Cup, which came to an end yesterday at the University of San Carlos – Technological Center (USC-TC).
KTEC employed a tight defense at the goal mouth, which left Panalpina no choice but to try to find the back of the net with long range attempts.
KTEC’s first goal was scored by Eleazar Pacubas on a follow up after the ball hit the post and went his way.
The second goal was also a follow through by Vince Diolera while the third was a one-on-one by John Michael Flores.
KTEC topped bracket H and earned an automatic entry into the round of 16.
The Men’s Open had 45 entries divided into nine brackets with the no.1 teams automatically advancing to the round of 16.
To complete the lineup, organizers chose the 2nd to the 8th best teams as wild card entries in the round of 16.
Both teams overcame not only their respective opponents but also the muddy pitch at the USC-TC to arrange a titular battle against each other.
KTEC blanked FCIC, 2-0, in the round of 16 and went on to edge Aksyon Padayon Masbate, 1-0, in the quarterfinals.
In the semifinals, KTEC had to go through a penalty shootout against Erco B, 1-0, before finally advancing to the championship round.
Panalpina, on the other hand, took the no.1 spot in bracket F and dismissed Erco A, 1-0, in the round of 16.
It prevailed over penalty shootouts against University of the Visayas (UV) B, 1-0, in the quarterfinals and versus Alia FC Zamboanga, 1-0, in the semifinals.
Matches were stopped momentarily as the five members of the Philippine Azkals arrived and were ushered in with a cheerdance performance by the University of Cebu Webmasters.
The five, who also plays for different teams in the United Football League, were Cebuano Paolo Pascual, Darren Hartmann, Lexton Moy, Misagh Bahadoran and Nestorio Margarse.
They were brought in by the Sinulog Football Cup TV partner AKTV.
They took turns in answering questions posted to them and inviting the Cebuanos to watch the UFL, which is set to begin this season on Jan. 14. The tournament is also covered by the AKTV.
They stayed for a few minutes to sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans before proceeding to San Roque Football field and the Cebu City Sports Center to award the champion teams in the age-group categories.
Over at the San Roque football field, matches in the Ladies Open, Inter-Company and 38-and-Above were still ongoing as off presstime. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON
