UC-ERCO topples Marbel in PFF-Smart bootfest

CEBU, Philippines -  Despite playing without three of their key players, University of  Cebu-ERCO Bro Nationals upended Real Marbel FC, 3-0 in the Group D qualifying battle of the PFF-Smart National Club Championships at the Cebu City Sports Center yesterday.

Philippine Azkal’s Ian Araneta together with another two players was supposed to play for coach Glenn Ramos, but they weren’t able to make it due to other important matters.

The first half saw both UC-ERCO and Real Marbel, South Cotabato’s bets, scoreless.

Coach Ramos admitted that his wards have not yet fully adjusted altogether because of the short span of preparations aside from the absence of his three key players that became the reason why it took them awhile to score.

But it was Dan Villarico who lived up to the expectations as he delivered two goals for the Cebu team through the 50th and 74th minutes. Julius Acre sealed UC-ERCO’s win with a goal of the 81st minute.

UC-ERCO will next face Davao’s University of Mindanao-Tagum FC tomorrow at 2 p.m.

“I heard the team from Davao is strong that is why we shouldn’t be complacent during that game,” said Ramos.

Earlier, ABC Stars FC, the second best-ranked club from cluster 8, defeated Cagayan de Oro-based Magis FC, 2-1 in the Group E action

Magis booters logged the first goal via Jerney Miaco in the 19th minute, but were equalized by Jeffrey Orada in the 25th minutes down the final half. Andy Boy Ureno then delivered the winning goal.

Teams who have already moved up to the national groupings are Ceres-La Salle FC, Stallions FC and M’lang FC.

The group stage follows a round robin format, with the top finishes advancing into the national groupings later this month.

The national groupings will involve five groups plus three United Football League teams – Global FC, Kaya and Loyola Meralco Sparks. They will be split into two brackets, with the top two qualifiers slugging it out in the crossover semis. The winners will then fight for the championship and the P200,000 bounty that goes with it on November 9 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (FREEMAN)