Davao booters repulse Negros, gain PFF final

Davao was just too much to handle for Negros Oriental as it carved out a 3-1 victory yesterday to take the first finals berth of the PFF-SuperFerry National Women’s Football Championship in front of a sizeable crowd at the Marikina Sports Center.

Leonor Satorre, a former member of the national team, burst through the Negros defense to score in the 38th minute in the weeklong event co-organized by the Philippine Football Federation and Marikina City Football Association.

Lomalyn Fama also struck in the 50th minute for the Davaoeñas, inspired by the presence of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who cheered from the sidelines.

Cheri Mae Amistoso pulled one back for the Negros girls in the 72nd, but Merlo Albano put the result beyond doubt for Davao with an 86th-minute goal in the tourney backed by Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando, who is also the MCFA chair, and the city government.

The Davaoeñas entered the finals of the tournament for women 19 years and older unbeaten in five games. They face the winner of the other semifinal between the National Capital Region and Iloilo in the finals.

Title favorite NCR, featuring the core of La Salle and University of the Philippines, hasn’t been as flawless as Davao, having been held to a 1-1 draw by the Negros Oriental lasses in the event also supported by Adidas, Red Ribbon Bakeshop, Petron, New Pagcor, Unicef and Aboitiz Express.