INNODATA and Erich Rafael (ERCO) clinched their finals tickets in contrasting fashion in the inter-company/BPO category of the 15th Aboitiz Football Cup at the Aboitiz Sports Field in Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
Innodata had to go through a penalty shootout against Unitech Pipe, 3-2, while ERCO cruised easily into the final round with a 5-0 routing of Convergys A.
Eager for a chance at the title, Innodata immediately took the upperhand on a 9th minute goal of Jaypee Ejercito.
Unitech Pipe was not about to concede easily with Genmar Delos Cientos scoring the equalizer just three minutes later.
With the regulation match ending in 1-all, a penalty shootout ensued, which ended in favor of Innodata.
Finding the back of the net for Innodata were Ejercito, Adrianne Mejaran and Darwin Bordalba. Scoring for Unitech Pipe were Raymund Cordova and Alwyn Piandong.
In the other semifinal match between ERCO and Convergys A, Jessie Roy Melgo scored a hattrick. Also contributing to the scoring spree were Michael Masong and Rodney Orale.
In the Men’s Open, Cebu Queen City United (CQCU) nailed its fourth straight win with an 8-0 lambasting of the Avengers.
Atletico Cebu took over the second spot in bracket A with a 16-0 annihilation of Indiana.
Other winners were Crazy Horse, Don Bosco United (DBU) FC-B and Samba.
Crazy Horse blanked Apas Mizkits, 1-0, DBU FC-B also edged BRO Nationals, 1-0, and Samba outsmarted University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) Alumni, 3-1.
No matches will be played next weekend to give away to the 3rd Sinulog Football Cup. The Aboitiz Sports Field will also host one of the round of 16 matches of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Smart Club Championships this Saturday pitting CQCU against Pachanga FC. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON