Host Negros belles edge Cebu XI

DUMAGUETE CITY — Host Negros Oriental FA (NORFA) leaned on a superb goal by striker Kat Ramas Uypitching nine minutes from time to nip Cebu, 2-1, yesterday for the solo group lead in the PFF-National Women’s Open Football Championships at the Silliman University pitch here.

The 18-year-old Uypitching, who scored twice in her team’s 18-0 victory over Sultan Kudarat on opening day, settled a fine pass from Nicole Arevalo just outside the box, before unleashing a 22-yard strike that bounced off the right side of the post and into the goal, sending the home crowd into a frenzied celebration on a rainy Tuesday.

The win enabled NORFA to gain a total of six points for the top spot in Group C, three points clear off Cebu and Iligan, which pulled off the most convincing victory of the tournament so far — a 21-0 rout of newcomer Sultan Kudarat yesterday.

NORFA only needs a draw with Iligan when they play at 2:30 p.m. today to secure a place in the semifinal knockout stage.

Cebu, however, faces a must-win situation in its 2:30 p.m. meeting with Sultan Kudarat at the Foundation U field and needs to better the convincing victories of Iligan and NORFA to advance.

Last Monday, reigning titlist Davao FA and NCR FA lived up to their billing as favorites by posting emphatic victories over separate rivals at the start of the meet hosted by NORFA in cooperation with the province of Negros Oriental, the City of Dumaguete, Silliman University and Foundation University.

Veteran midfielder Leonor Satore struck five goals in Davao’s 10-0 win over Zamboanga in Group A at the FU football field.

On the other hand, NCR took the headstart in the tough Group B action with an 8-0 blanking of 10-man Negros Occidental FA, even as Cagayan-Misamis Oriental edged Iloilo, 1-0, with a late penalty conversion at the SU pitch.

Cebu nipped Iligan, 2-1, in Group C.

A prominent figure in Davao’s five previous successful title drives, the 34-year-old Satore, who plays at central midfield, immediately made her presence felt with a line-drive from 25 yards for the opening-goal in the seventh minute.

Analou Ingles scored three minutes later for a 2-0 lead, before Erlyn Mae Sabmon, the star of Davao’s under-17 squad, and 2005 SEA Games campaigner, Merly

Albano made their contributions in the 28th and 44th minutes both from set pieces, respectively.