Ceres booters overcome fancied Global, near title

MANILA, Philippines - Ceres-University of St. La Salle Bacolod leaned on Joshua Beloya’s second half brilliance as it eked out a shock 2-1 win over heavily favored Global FC to move within a win from completing a back-to-back title romp in the PFF-Smart National Club Championship at the Panaad pitch in Bacolod City.

With the game knotted at one, Beloya struck on the 63rd minute that proved to be the marginal goal for the reigning champions, representing host Negros Occidental Football Association.

But since Ceres is the home team on this first of their home and away title showdown, it means it will go to the deciding second match today practically tied since a home goal is equivalent to a point and an away goal two points.

This meant Angel Guirado’s rocket nine minutes just gone by the second half allowed Dan Palami’s charges, fancied to win it here owing to their powerhouse roster headlined by some Azkals standouts, helped stave off a potential disaster.

It also gave Ceres some advantage and mental edge after showing Global, representing super Typhoon-ravaged Leyte FA, it could compete against the United Football League powerhouse, which suffered its first defeat of this tournament bankrolled by Smart and sanctioned by the PFF.

Going into the finals, Global has scored an impressive total of 47 goals, including a 5-0 bashing of Cavite FA’s Flame United-Cherifer FC in the semis a couple of days before, while conceding just one.

But against Ceres, Global failed to get its game going.

With the match appearing to head to a scoreless draw at the half, Ceres, which drubbed Benguet State U, 11-0, in their own semis encounter, found a hero in Jayson Panhay, who skirted past defenders and Global goalie Dely Roland Sadia for that rocket that gave it a 1-0 edge at the break.

Global, however, countered behind Guirado, who came through on the 54th.

But Beloya had other things in mind.

The winner of this annual tournament pockets the top purse amounting to P100,000 courtesy of Smart while getting the bragging rights as the best club team in the country today.