MANILA (11 Dec 2016) – Global Cebu served a surprise against tournament favourites Meralco Manila to book their place in the Philippines Football League (PFL) Final after beating the latter 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
Cebu rode their luck from a 2-1 victory in the first leg a week earlier when they nailed a late equalizer off Rufo Sanchez to hold Manila to a 1-1 draw on the road at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
An early strike from Curt Dizon put Manila on the way to the next round with the away goal rule still intact.
But then came Sanchez’s 85th minute equalizer that put paid to Manila’s passage and ensured Cebu their place instead.
In the meantime, Ceres Negros need not suffer such drama when they advanced to the final on 3-1 aggregate over Kaya FC Makati.
Following Negros’ 1-0 win over Makati in the first leg, the return tie saw the former suffer anxious moments when Woody Ugarte erased Bienve Marañon 30th minute strike for Negros.
But Iain Ramsay sealed the win for Negros with a 73rd minute winner.
