ERCO BRO, Leylam FC clash for men's open crown tonight

CEBU, Philippines - The long awaited finals showdown between defending champion ERCO BRO Gau and Leylam FC in the premiere men's open division of the 17th Aboitiz Football Cup will finally take place today at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Game time is scheduled at 7 p.m.

Originally scheduled last June 28, the finale was postponed to a later date due to the heavy downpour that rendered the field unplayable.

It took ther organizing Cebu Football Association over one month to finalize everything as the two protagonists could not agree on the date they are both available until today.

Meanwhile, coaches of both squads are playing safe insofar as their chances of grabbing the coveted title are concerned.

ERCO's head coach Glen Ramos said the presence of their Manila-based players in former Philippine Azkals skipper Chieffy Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Ronnie Aguisanda, Mark Ferrer, and Dodong Villareal is not a guarantee they they will retain their crown. That is because some of their regular players including their Nigerian recruits are no longer with the team.

On Leylam FC's end, coach Oliver Colina said that even if their lineup is intact, some of his wards are non in tip-top shape, while others are nursing from an injury.

Thus, it's going to be anybody's game, making the sudden-death title clash more exciting and something to watch out for. (FREEMAN)