Doraemon grabs men's open crown

CEBU, Philippines - The Doraemon booters banked on the last minute goal of Masabiko Ayagi to frustrate Queen City United by the narrowest of margins, 4-3, and walk away with the coveted men’s open crown of the Cebu Amateur Football Club-organized National Inter-Club Football Cup yesterday at the San Roque Parish field in Brgy. Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

Mitsu Tsunakiri of Doraemon broke the ice of the match at the 12th, but Junard Aguilar of QCU equalized the count four minutes later.

Robert Cañedo handed the lead back to Doraemon at the 50th, but QCU’s top gunner Aguilar again found the back of the net at the 64th to forge a 2-all deadlock.

Doraemon regained the upperhand after Epifanio Ynot scored at the 67th, but Julius Acre pounded in goal for QCU, thus, the 3-all standoff.

As the score was tied at 3-all with only 20 minutes left to play, tension flared when QCU’s goalie was caught “unintentionally” pushing off hard Joshua Fegidero of Doraemon.

CAFC officials and referees immediately came to the rescue and put the situation under control.

Breaks of the game finally swayed on Doraemon’s side when Ayagi knocked in a goal at the 75th to plunge the final nail on QCU’s coffin.

Doraemon, formerly known as the Crazy Horse, has other things to brag about as Alex Buanghug claimed the best goalie and Most Valuable Player awards. Albert Nangkil was named as the best defender, Joshua Fegidero grabbed the golden boot, while Julius Acre of QCU was adjudged as the best midfielder.

In the 17-under division, the visiting Sta. Rita of Negros Occidental dethroned Abellana National School-Pomeroy, 1-0.

San Roque Football Club got two titles through the boys 10 over its sister team SRFC-A, 2-1, and the men’s 38 after whipping QCU, 2-0.

Don Bosco Technology Center took away the boys 12 crown after edging out Springdale, 2-1, while MTI seized boys 14 title after defeating Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu. – THE FREEMAN