Cebu team bolsters chances of advancing to national level after groupmates settle for draw

Carles Martin (center), FCB Escola’s technical director for Asia-Pacific, is joined by (from left) Raffy Musni of the Cebu Football Association, Nicholas Reyes of FCB Escola Philippines, CFA’s Ricky Dakay and FCB Escola’s Michael Reyes. (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)

The University of Cebu (UC) ERCO Football Club brightened its chances of advancing into the national level of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Smart  National Club Championships after its fellow Group D competitors failed to score a win yesterday during the group stage at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The University of Mindanao (UM) Tagum FC and Real Marbel FC of the Football Association of South Cotabato (FASCO),  who are group mates with the Cebu Football Association (CFA) bet, finished their rain-drenched match with a 1-1 draw.

A win by more than three goals by either team could have jeopardized UC-ERCO FC’s campaign. Instead, UC-ERCO FC just needs at least a draw against UM Tagum FC today to advance. That match is scheduled at 2 p.m.

Yesterday’s game between UM Tagum FC and Real Marbel FC had to be stopped for 30 minutes because of the rain.

UM Tagum FC’s Jason Teng scored the first goal in the 20th minute but Real Marbel FC’s Ryan Malan scored the equalizer in the 42nd minute.

Meanwhile, United Football League (UFL) division II team Laos FC massacred ABC All Stars of  Naga-Camarines Sur Football Association,10-0, in Group E to advance to the national level.