CQCU makes Men’s Open final, eyes vengeance vs San Roque

THE CEBU QUEEN City United (CQCU) gets a chance to avenge its loss against San Roque Rehab (SRR) as they will face each other for the Men’s Open title of the Cebu Amateur Football Club’s (CAFC) 13th Cebu Inter-Club Football Cup today at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Both teams advanced to the final round by defeating their respective semifinals opponents yesterday.

CQCU blanked two-time defending champion Hiroshi FC, 2-0, in a physical game while SRR ousted the University of Cebu (UC)/Nigeria, 1-0, with a goal in the extra time by Ryan Bordalba.

Bordalba celebrated by pulling off his shirt and twirling it over his head. However, he paid for that act after he was given a red card. With this, SRR will now be missing one of its top scorers in the finals today.

In the second semifinals match, CQCU frustrated Hiroshi FC from achieving a grandslam.

CQCU’s Jade Paghubasan found a hole in Hiroshi FC’s defense in the added minute of the first half. In the second half, CQCU strengthened its defense by foiling each attempt of Hiroshi FC to score. A penalty kick converted by Junard Aguilar in the 84th minute capped CQCU’s finals entry.

Also advancing to the finals today were Abellana National School (ANS) Pomeroy and Ateneo de Cebu (AdC), who will dispute  the Boys U18 title.

ANS-Pomeroy clinched a finals ticket by edging Springdale, 2-1, while the Magis Eagles surged past Pocket Monster, 3-2, in the other semifinals.

Pedro Diao scored both goals for ANS-Pomeroy while Sabin Veloso found the back of the net for Springdale.

In the U15, the title will be contested by Canduman and ERCO BRO.

Canduman advanced to the finals with a 1-0 edging of Los Amigos while ERCO BRO routed Cebu Dynamo FC, 13-0, to grab the other finals entry.

The 40-Above title will see Hiroshi FC vying against ERCO.  /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON