THE UST-REINFORCED Pachanga FC toppled the Cebu Queen City Landmasters United, 4-0, at the University of Makati last Oct. 29, to grab solo lead in Group C of the United Football League Cup eliminations.
Golden Booters defender Ronald Batislao-Ong and midfielder Shirmar Felongco played tough in respective ends of the pitch to aid Pachangca to a seven-point finish in the eliminations en route to a sure slot in the quarterfinals.
Pachanga capped the eliminations with a 2-1-0 win-draw-loss slate to edge Stallion FC, which collected 2-0-1 of its own, to clinch the top spot in what is called as the “Group of Death.” Defending champion Global FC is still in contention with a 1-1-1 record in the group.
Ronnel Lagrimas, who replaced the injured Felongco, struck gold in the bottom corner at the 12th minute of the match after an assist from Alu Kigbu to put Pachanga up, 1-0.
Cebu’s Junard Aguilar attempt at an equalizer was caught by Mark Evan Sorongon.
Gino Palomo made things worse for the Cebuanos in the 41st minute with another goal for Pachanga.
Streaking down the right flank, Palomo toyed with the Cebuano keeper for an assist to Kigbu in the 43rd minute that gave an insurmountable 3-0 lead for Pachanga, heading into the second half.
The Landmasters would have several attempts in the last 45 minutes of the game. But all of their attacks would either be stifled by the defensive intensity put up by Pachanga or would fly over the goal post.
Striker Joven Bedic put the icing on the cake for Pachanga in the 63rd minute of the 90 off an assist from Lagrimas that whittled down the hopes for a comeback for the Cebuanos. Rodolfo Serafin Jerome T. Lozada with reports from Alexis U. Cerado
