Negros, Davao stamp class, gain PFF Smart semis

MANILA, Philippines – Host Negros Occidental and Davao whipped up convincing victories over their respective rivals and clinched semifinal seats in the PFF Smart Under-22 Amateur Football Championships yesterday in Bacolod City.

The Negrenses lived up to the hype and dumped their North Cotabato rivals, 3-0, at North Field in Talisay City.

The Davao booters, the other title favorites, blasted the Camarines Norte side en route to a 10-0 demolition over at the Panaad Stadium.

Nigerian striker Eli Usman opened the scoring from close range for Negros in the 18th minute before Jeff Paparon and Cameroonian midfielder Madi Taniform took over and scored in the second half for the victory.

“I’m very happy with their performance,” said Negros coach John Carmona. “It was very convincing but we have to finish stronger in the next round where teams are stronger and we won’t get a lot of chances.”

Cranking up their attack in the second half, the Negrenses, however, missed a number of chances as Usman rattled the post in the hour mark and Paparon also hit the bar from point-blank range.

Taniform also arrowed an effort wide, before finally finding the bottom corner with an angled shot from the edge of the area five minutes from time.

In the other game, Leo Abunas and Gerald Susuban scored two goals each for Davao which dominated Camarines Norte from start to finish. Other scorers for Davao were Mark Anthony Bugay, James Enegente, Patrick Asoque, Patrick Pacot, Christian Cabantao and John Michael Mendoza.

Meanwhile, the two other quarterfinal matches were being played at presstime with Cordillera tangling with Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon colliding with Cavite.