MANILA, Philippines - Superfriends, led by tournament MVP and Best Striker national booter Ariel Zerrudo, beat the Makati Titans, 1-0, in the finals, and crowned themselves men’s division champions at the recently concluded Republic Cup football tournament at the Manila Polo Club.
However, it was Jerwin Ngo who booted in the winning goal at the 29th minute of the finals to win the game for his team.
Earlier in the quarterfinals of the tournament, sponsored by 100+, PLDT, MET tathione, Balls TV, Lotto, Jim Beam, and URC, Superfriends edged out the Loyola vets, 1-0, behind Zerrudo’s goal at the 25th minute of the game while other quarterfinals winners were Makati Titans, 2-1, over Loyola Agila, Salcedo, which beat Palitada King, 2-1, and Old School, winning over Urdaneta, 1-0.
Superfriends went to high gear in the semifinals and blanked Salcedo, 4-0, behind the efforts of Alvin Ocampo who had two goals, Zerrudo and Paolo Misa with a goal each while the Makati Titans copped the other finals seat defeating Old School, 2-0, with Miko de Jesus and Ram Pastolero contributing a goal each.
The women’s division had MVP Ruchell Latap of the MSA team scoring back-to-back goals right in the first five minutes of the game and MSA held the Archers 1 team scoreless the rest of the game to emerge champions.