Negros, NCR dispute crown

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY–Reigning titlist National Capital Region (NCR) made sure there would be a rematch with rival Negros Occidental for the PFF Adidas national men’s football crown by bulldozing Davao, 5-0, Thursday at the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center.

Navy ace striker Jimmy Doña’s header from the penalty box in the sixth minute set the tone for NCR’s demolition of their much younger Davao counterparts.

It was, however, in the final half that NCR imposed its dominant form on its rivals with Doña and Gary Viliran scoring a goal each in the 47th and 79th minutes before Loreto Kalalang complemented these feats with back-to-back markers.

Negros and NCR, which battled to a one-all draw in the eliminations, were disputing the championship at presstime yesterday with Negros Occidental Football Association president Congressman Charlie Cojuangco and NCR Football Association president Poch Borromeo watching from the stands.

Philippine Football Federation president Johnny Romualdez also flew in early in the day for the championship match.

"There is beauty in football if we play only by the ball kasi pag ’mi nasasaktan uli sa kabilang panig eh magkakasakitan na naman uli," said NCR-Navy coach Edward Joel Antony, who requested tournament commissioner Pablito Araneta to appoint a referee who could keep the game in control.

Negros Occidental head coach Norman Fegidero believed the match would be evenly fought as both squads have entered the pitch with a roster of in-form players.

"Kumpleto ang lahat at `yong `mi injury ay naka-recover na, so this is going to be a good game," Fegidero said.

Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno, Romualdez and Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Football Association (CMOFA) president Allan Abellanosa were scheduled to grace the awarding ceremony of the week-long tournament organized by CMOFA and supported by PFF sponsor-partners Petron, SuperFerry and Red Ribbon Bakeshop.