Leylam FC, ERCO advance to Aboitiz Football semifinals

TWO-time champion Leylam FC and last year’s runner-up ERCO look headed for a rematch as they both advanced to the semifinals round of the Men’s Open category of the ongoing 19th Aboitiz Football Cup.

The Leylam FC bagged the first semifinals ticket with a commanding 6-1 defeat of the Don Bosco Football Club early yesterday morning at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Scoring a brace for Leylam was Kore-Kore, who formerly played for the Stallion Laguna Football Club which saw action in the inaugural season of the Philippines Football League.

Also contributing a goal each were Pinto Kabalu, Famous Ene, Baris Tasci and Mikel Pacite.

Propelling ERCO to the final 4 was Glenn Thomas Ramos, who scored the lone goal in their quarterfinals match against the University of San Jose-Recoletos in the 35th minute.

ERCO will be up against the Rising Sun in the semifinal round after the latter routed Avengers, 3-0.

The last semifinals ticket was bagged by the 5-time Cesafi champion University of San Carlos (USC), which scored a 3-2 edging of the Samba FC.

The Warriors had to go through an extension to advance to the final 4 after the regulation ended in a 2-all draw.

The win earned the USC Warriors the right to face the defending champions Leylam FC.

In the 38 Above played at the Don Bosco Magone pitch in Punta Princesa, the Don Bosco United Football Club (DBUFC) edged the Rising Sun, 2-1, while ERCO outsmarted Echelon, 4-2.

DBUFC also won its match in the 45 Above category via a 6-2 whipping of the Abellana National School Alumni, 6-2.

KN Ferraren also squeaked past ERCO, 2-1.

Both categories are played in a league-type format with the top two teams to contest for the title and the top 3 and 4 to fight for the third place.