It was a moment of brilliance from super sub Papuh Corsame that gave Dynamic Herb Cebu a crucial 3 points as the Gentle Giants triumphed over an in-form United City, 2-1, at the Dynamic Herb Stadium.
The starting lineups saw surprise omissions from both sides. Leading assist provider Guytho Mijland and his compatriot Rhino Goutier were absent for Cebu, while captain Matt Silva and defender John Bankole were on the bench for United City.
Both teams started slowly, with the first real chance of the game coming 24 minutes in. A quick throw from Cebu striker Chima Uzoka found Rintaro Hama at the edge of the box, forcing keeper Henri Bandeken into a quick save.
Cebu would take the lead two minutes later, as Uzoka found himself on the end of an Abou Sy cut back, laying the ball off to Daniel Gadia, who blasted the ball past Bandeken.
The Gentle Giants would nearly make it two in the 39th minute, but Marius Kore’s shot was blocked by the UCFC backline before Hama’s subsequent cross soared over everyone.
Just before halftime, a moment of chaos in the Cebu box saw Uzoka clatter into Cameroonian Darlton Digha, but claims for a penalty were waved off.
After the break, United City shifted into a high press and nearly scored just afterward, but Mark Hartmann’s shot was saved by Jun Badelic.
Hartmann would not be unlucky a second time, however. In the 51st minute, Ricardo Sendra played him into space outside the box, and in classic Hartmann fashion, he unleashed a ferocious shot that clattered off the crossbar and in.
UCFC were in the ascendency, but their momentum came to a brief halt just 10 minutes later, as Digha received his second yellow of the night for a professional foul on Kaj Amirul. With the one-man advantage, Cebu quickly regained control of the match, with a long shot from Kore sailing just over the bar.
Just like in Cebu’s 3-1 win over One Taguig two weeks prior, the go-ahead goal came from a substitute. Hama’s low ball into the box was flicked back by Sy to substitute Papuh Corsame, who made no mistake to give Cebu a 2-1 advantage.
Despite being down a man, United City continued to push for the equalizer but couldn’t convert their chances, the best of which was a Hartmann shot from the left of Badelic’s goal that took the tiniest of deflections.
Cebu held on to win 2-1, their 3rd straight win after a late 1-0 defeat at the hands of Kaya, also putting an end to a purple patch for United City. UCFC next faces the youthful Tuloy FC, while Cebu welcomes yet another title contender, Davao Aguilas.
