ZAYNE Ernest Acuna showed up with his golden boot as he towed Makati FC Cebu to the Players 8 title of the 24th Aboitiz Football Cup at the Don Bosco Cebu football grounds on Oct. 12, 2024.
In the semifinals, Acuna hit his target in the 16th minute for a narrow 1-0 win against Sugbu Calidad FC to arrange a finals match against Don Bosco FC-C.
The host defeated Real Galaxy 2-1 with Gabrieli Alessan Bontilao (sixth), and Jasper Dayne Ocanada (18) scoring for the Bosconians and Benjie Triton Japson getting the lone goal for Real Galaxy.
In the final, Acuna needed just 12 minutes to break through the DBTC defense and the lone goal was enough to add the Aboitiz Cup title to MFC Cebu’s growing trophy chest.
In the battle for third place, Japson struck twice in the 12th and 18th minute for a 2-1 win against Sugbu Calidad, which got its lone goal courtesy of Andrew Chik.
Meanwhile, favorites DBFC, Giuseppe, CFC Academy, Cebu United, and Real Galaxy FC scored easy wins in the first day of the Players 12 division.
Giuseppe FC routed DB FC A, 5-0, with Rhyel Menchavez and Mael Christian scoring twice and Johnriel Liorag added one.
CFC Academy also routed DB FC B thanks to goals by Zachery Repunte, Dwane Aurea and Luke Flaners, while Cebu United showed no mercy against MFC Cebu in their 11-0 rout. Kyle Angelo Cabaron, Nathaniel Bituan, Javios Reed Sanding, Peter Daniel Whitewood had two each, while Kent Earl Pantonial and Louis Nacar scored once.
Meanwhile, DB FC C posted the most lopsided score so far after blanking Lapu-Lapu City, 18-0 with Red John delos Reyes scoring five goals and Mikhael Lukas Pazon and Elijah Noah Ralloma adding four apiece. Andrew Matthew Amistad had two, while Christian Villamor, Clyde Gerona and Gerard Claude Zapanta had one each.
In the other matches, Kanlunga FC defeated Sportsgen International Academy, 3-1, thanks to the two goals by Sean Kristoff Buglosa, while Zyme Bas had two goals in Real Galaxy’s 5-0 win over Lo-oc FC.
In the Players 10 Division, Giuseppe FC routed Lapu-Lapu City FC, 9-0, with Caleb de Leon scoring a hat trick, while USC-BED A blanked Don Bosco FC B 3-0. Samuel Josiah Lanozo, Federico Rosales and Romeo Luis Aguilon scored the goals for the Carolinians.
In the other games, DB FC A outlasted USC-BED B, 2-1; Real Galaxy FC and MFC Cebu Blue fought to a 2-2 draw; the Bato Spartans FC beat Sportgen Academy, 2-1; and Sugbu Calidad FC defeated CFC Academy, 3-2, thanks to an own goal.