Negros Occidental Football Association advanced to the national PFF-National Men's Open Senior Championships yesterday, following its 1-0 victory over Cebu FA in the Visayas qualifying tournament at the Silliman University pitch in Dumaguete City.

Striker Fredrick Jan Serios scored the lone goal of the match on the 25th minute, striking a 35-yard grounder off a pass from former Philippine Team standout Bernard Rojas.

Despite the win, NOFA coach Freddie Lazarito was not satisfied with his team's performance.

"Our game was off because the boys got a little overconfident, but I'm still thankful that we won despite the lapses," he told the DAILY STAR. Goalkeeper Archie Bayquin, Most Valuable Player of the NOFA provincial tournament in Bago City in September last year, also came up big for the NOFA XI, which defeated Oriental Negros, 1-0, Friday.

Negros' defense, anchored on former RP XI standout Ziggy Tonog, also employed solid defense to limit the scoring chances of the Cebuanos, who yielded a 4-0 decision to Oriental Negros Saturday.

A loss by the Negrenses would have paved the way for a triple-tie in first place with the goal difference determining the team that advances to the national finals.

NOFA brought home the national crown in 2002. Last year, the Negrenses were foiled by the Philippine Navy, who won the crown at their expense in Cagayan de Oro City.

The other team that will banner Visayas in the national event is Iloilo, which gained an automatic slot in the national tournament for hosting the Feb. 20-26 competition.

Aside from the Ilonggos, NOFA will compete against the champions of North-South Luzon, Southeast Luzon, Western Mindanao, Northeast Mindanao and South-Central Mindanao in the national finals. *CIT

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