ERCO Korea snares men’s open crown in Thirsty Cup

CEBU, Philippines - The University of Cebu-ERCO FC beefed up by South Korean booters beat the equally-tough Leylam FC by the slimmest of margins, 4-3, to snare the men's open crown of the 11th Thirsty Cup football tournament at the Cebu City Sports Center the other night.

UC-ERCO Korea and Leylam FC fought to a scoreless draw in the regulation period. UC-ERCO Korea coached by Glenn Ramos proved to be the tougher team in the penalty shootout enroute to winning the action via a cliffhanger.

UC-ERCO-Korea dethroned defending champion Don Bosco United also by a 2-1 nail-bitter in the quarterfinal round, then silenced Warshocks, 1-0, in the semis to set up a gold medal duel against Leylam FC.

Leylam still has something to celebrate though as it defeated Abellana National School (ANS), 1-0, to win the boys 18 title.

Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu grabbed part of the limelight after it stunned Global Elite Youth B, 2-1, in the penalty shootout to rule the boys 13 age group.

On the other hand, the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) came up with a double championship in the boys 15 and 11 categories. DBTC's team A pulled off a 5-4 triumph over the Badian Lions in the boys 15 finals, while DBTC's team E came up with a 2-1 victory against Giuseppe FC for the gold in the boys 11.

In the distaff side, the Talisay Minuluan of Negros Oriental also scored a sweet twinkill in the girls 18 and ladies open.

The other division champs in the three-day tilt sanctioned by the Cebu Football Association (CFA) were Bright Academy (mixed under-7), Lahug Elementary School (mixed under-9), Tubigon FC (boys 20), KN Ferraren(men's 38), San Carlos City (girls 15) and the University of San Carlos-White (girls 20). (FREEMAN)