QCU nails first victory in men's open division

CEBU, Philippines - The Queen City United (QCU) booters kept their title hopes alive with a 4-2 drubbing of Southwestern University (SWU) in the men's open division of the 12th CAFC Cebu Interclub Football Cup yesterday at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center field in Brgy. Talamban, this city.

SWU actually broke the ice of the match as Joseph Onwide found the back of the net with just three minutes gone by after the opening whistle.

Rodney Gandiongco, however, gave QCU a sigh of relief when he sank two consecutive goals at the seventh and 19th.

Julius Acre later joined the assault by knocking in a goal five minutes before halftime to give QCU a 3-1 lead at the bend.

Still, SWU refused to roll down and just die, with Cendric Tombo scoring at the 50th to cut QCU's lead to 2-3.

But that proved to be its last stand as Baron Lesondra delivered the insurance goal for QCU at the 60th.

QCU, which ended their elimination round campaign with a 1-1-1 win-loss-draw record, now hopes and pray that Don Bosco United will lose to SWU this Friday so they will advance into the semifinal without any hitch.

Don Bosco currently stands with one draw and one loss, while SWU is still without a win in two starts.

San Roque FC already advanced to the semis after topping bracket B with an immaculate 3-0 slate, in the same way with Hiroshi FC with a 3-1 win-loss card in bracket A. Hiroshi shut down Hijos del Pueblo, 2-0, in its last game.

In bracket A of boys 17 division, Springdale FC is on top of the leaderboard with a clean 3-0 mark after escaping past Ormoc FC, 3-2.

In bracket B of the same age-group played at the San Roque field in Brgy. Subangdaku, Mandaue City, the Cebu Team barged into the penultimate round after dumping the DB Razkals, 11-0.

In the boys 14 action, Canduman FC pulled off a convincing 6-1 win over SJSM/3 Brothers, while in the 40-above class, San Roque FC beat ERCO FC, 1-0, and Baliant Hawk United outpointed QCU-B, 2-1. (FREEMAN)