Iloilo tops Cebu in Suzuki elims

MANILA, Philippines - Glester Sobremisana and striker Jomar Lestingio scored in a four-minute stretch in the second half as Iloilo beat Cebu, 2-0, in the opener of the PFF Suzuki U-23 National Cup at the Filomeno Cimafranca Field in Silliman University, Dumaguete recently.

The Ilongos pressed their bid early and had three scoring chances in the first four minutes of the match. But the Cebuanos held on to force a scoreless first half until Sobremisana scored in the 64th minute.

Four minutes later, Lestingio struck from 20 yards, beating a diving Cebu keeper Garry Garcicino and giving Iloilo another goal and the early lead in the Visayas regional qualifiers.

Iloilo, coached by Barotac Nuevo native and current UST head Marjo Allado, is one of the favorites to contend for the crown in the first national tournament under the leadership of PFF president Mariano Araneta.

The team boasts of several players playing in Manila schools, including Neckson and Nicholas Leonora who play for San Beda College, Francis Gustilo, German Doronilla, and Glester Sobremisana who won a pair of championships for FEU, and UST’s foursome of Shirmar Felongco, Christian de Juan, Ronald Batisla-Ong and Fidel Kue.

“I wish it’s an advantage,” said Allado. “But I am worried about our fitness. We had problems with our finishing but we were able to solve our problems in the second half.”

Gracing the match were Phl Azkals members Chieffy Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Roel Gener, Paolo Pascual, and Yannick Tuason.