PFF men's football: Negros Occidental beats Iloilo, 7-1

Games Thursday University of St. La Salle Field, Bacolod City 8 a.m. Davao vs. Masbate 4 p.m. Baguio vs. Iloilo Panaad Park, Bacolod City 8 a.m. NCR vs. N. Cotabato 6 p.m. Negros vs. CDO-Misamis Defending champion Negros Occidental lived up to its lofty billing on Wednesday by crushing archrival Iloilo, 7-1, for its first victory in the 2007 Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Centennial Men's National Open Football Championships at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City. Midfielder Robert Cañedo, a standout from West Negros College, came up 0with a hat-trick, while former RP Team striker Norman Fegidero scored twice in one of the most one-sided victories by a Negros team over an Ilonggo side, said the league in a statement Wednesday. Cañedo made all of his three goals, including two in the second half, from long-range and the 37-year-old Fegidero, taking time off from his coaching duties at WNC to join the squad, scored the breakthrough with a header in the ninth minute before increasing the lead with a clinical strike from inside the box four minutes later. Fegidero's younger brother, Dave, added another in the 47th minute to seal the victory. Moments later, Jovy Simpron pulled a goal back for Iloilo's lone point. Negros substitute FJ Serios put the finishing touches with a breakaway goal in the 80th minute. The win put the Negrenses on top of Group 2 with three points, two ahead of Baguio and Cagayan de Oro-Misamis, which fought to a 2-2 draw. The CDO booters equalized twice, the last coming in the 70th minute through Nico John Palarca. Baguio's Ariston Bocalan opened the scoring in the 14th minute, but Sylvester Palarca levelled 18 minutes later. Izeldin Elhabib restored the lead for Baguio four minutes before halftime. Meanwhile, NCR clinched the first semifinal berth in Group 1 with a 4-0 win over Masbate also Wednesday, following goals from Ian Araneta, Yanti Bersales, Emelio Caligdong and Randy Belaong. It was NCR's second win in as many matches and a fitting follow up to its 2-0 victory over Davao earlier. North Cotabato is poised to join NCR in the Final Four after edging out Davao, 2-1. Goals from Bonifacio Mangga and Peter Jaugan gave North Cotabato a 2-0 lead at halftime before Gerrick Ilagan grabbed a late strike in the 81st minute. The outcome put North Cotabato at second place behind NCR with four points. NCR and North Cotabato will play for top group honors Thursday. - GMANews.TV