MANILA, Philippines - Global FC downed Cebu Football Association, 6-2, to clinch the last berth in the Final Qualifying Round of the Philippine Football Federation-Smart National Club Championship set Dec. 9-21 at the Panaad pitch in Bacolod City.
The Global side, representing Leyte, thus became the 10th team that made it to the final phase of the annual event staking P100,000 for the winner courtesy of Smart. The other finalists are Benguet Football Association of Baguio City, Camarines Sur FA of Naga City, Negros Occidental FA, Bukidnon FA, North Cotabato FA, Davao FA, Zamboanga FA, Cavite FA and Palawan FA.
The 10 teams will be divided into two groups to be drawn Sunday night during the team managers’ meeting.
In the group stage, they will play a single-round robin format with the top two squads advancing to the crossover semifinals where the No. 1 team of Group A clashes with the No. 2 squad of Group B and the No. 1 team of Group B clashing with the No. 2 of Group A in a pair of home-and-away matches.
The winners will dispute the crown.
Group Stage matches are scheduled from Dec. 9 to 13. After a one-day break, action resumes on Dec. 15 and 17 with the finals slated Dec. 19-21.
Ceres won it last year by beating tough teams like Kaya and Green Archers United-Globe to get into the finals before edging PSG in the one-match finale, 1-0.