Red ribbon semifinal surprises

WHAT was supposed to be a heated match turned into a one-way affair as Paref-Springdale routed a surprisingly limp Don Bosco Technological Center, 3-0, in the semifinal round of the Red Ribbon Under-16 tournament at the San Roque Parish football ground.

The other semifinal also offered a surprise, as Hiroshi FC had to dig deep as it trailed, 0-1, early before coming up with a 2-1 win against a determined Don Bosco Boys' Home team.

Hiroshi and Springdale will fight for the Red Ribbon title on March 11 still at San Roque.

The first half of the DBTC-Springdale game went as expected as both teams fought to a scoreless draw.

However, it was a different story in the second half.

Miguel Arriola banged the first goal to an empty net after a cross got past the keeper, just seconds later, Bran Go headed in Karl ARcenas free kick for a 2-0 lead, with only four minutes removed in the second half.

DBTC lost all semblance of control of the match and the rare chance it had in the offensive end was stopped by Paref keeper Paolo Pascual.

Evanjames Mendoza, who trails DBTC's Francis Buot in the Best Striker tally, banged in the final goal in the 69th from close range.

Still, Paref coach Mario Ceniza didn't think that their easy win made them favorites to win the title.

"Kaluy-an sa ginuo, nakalusot," Ceniza said. "We'll see (who will be the champions) after the tournament is over."

An overconfident Hiroshi FC also trailed 0-1 in the first half of their match. Hiroshi could have taken the lead early but a poorly taken penalty shot sailed high. DBBH's Jestoni Pialago made them pay by banging in the first goal in the 17th.

However the lead didn't last long after Paul Diao scored the equalizer in the 22nd while Christian Vasquez struck in the 28th for the go-ahead goal.

DBBH, which lost to Hiroshi 2-0 in the elimination round, tried to rally in the second half and manage a few scares but their lack of finishing prevented them from getting the equalizer as Hiroshi held on.

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