Don Sacredale-QCU sets up title showdown with Leylam

CEBU, Philippines — Don Sacredale-Queen City United and Leylam FC ousted separate foes to set up a championship showdown in the men's open division of the 20th Aboitiz Football Cup this Sunday afternoon at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Composed of former players of Don Bosco, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Paref-Springdale, Don Sacredale-QCU punched a finals ticket after edging Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) champion University of San Carlos (USC), 1-0, last Wednesday night.

Both squads went scoreless in the regulation period, but Nico Villacin made sure there won’t be a shootout anymore by scoring for Don Sacredale in the last minute of the extension.

Leylam, on the other hand, barged into the championship after escaping past Makoto FC via  4-3 cliffhanger.

After a 3-3 standoff, Michael Pacites stepped up his game to seal the win for Leylam at the 84th.

Prior to the men's open final, SHS-Ateneo will go up against Don Bosco Boys Home for the boys 18 title.

SHS-Ateneo made it to the final round at the expense of Abellana National School, 1-0, while DB-Boys Home advanced after dumping Paref-Springdale, 6-0.

Interestingly, Don Sacredale and the SHS-Ateneo boys 18 squad are both under coach Oliver Colina.

“This is the first time that I will be handling two championship matches in a day in the Aboitiz Cup. This is also the first time that I am coaching Ateneo in the boys 18 and the first time to meet Don Sacredale in the men’s finals. It’s tough, pero kayanon ta ni!” blurted out Colina. (FREEMAN)