Leylam FC, ERCO Bro set up final rematch in Aboitiz football

CEBU, Philippines - Defending champion Leylam FC and ERCO Bro FC bested separate rivals to set up a rematch for the men’s open title of the 18th Aboitiz Football Cup yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Leylam FC and ERCO Bro are going to slug it out for the crown at 5 p.m. today.

Leylam kept their back-to-back title bid alive with a 2-1 victory over the Rising Sun, while ERCO Bro outlasted Samba FC, 3-2, in the semifinals.

Leylam’s coach Oliver Colina said that they will be playing without their reinforcement players from Manila, but they are still upbeat on their chances of winning the championship.

“Our players from Manila are no longer allowed by their mother teams to play with us. We can’t do anything about it but we are still positive that we will win the whole thing,” said Colina.

ERCO, for its part, will be reinforced by former Azkal team captain Chieffy Caligdong. Caligdong’s presence is expected to provide leadership and will boost the team’s confidence.

Meanwhile, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu clinched the boys 13 title with a dominating 5-2 victory over Don Bosco Technology Center.

However,the Bosconians bounced back in the under-15 finals after winning the championship over SHS-Ateneo, 3-1. (FREEMAN)