Defending Under-17 champion San Carlos City progressed to the semifinals as expected yesterday but its Under-15 squad was unexpectedly shown the door by powerhouse Celta de Victorias.

Represented by Don Bosco Technical Institute players, Victorias advanced in both divisions, owing to better goal difference as they kept their hopes for a double crown, achieved last year by San Carlos.

The San Carlos booters hardly broke into a sweat, winning by default against Handumanan United to complete a sweep of Group A at the Bacolod City National High School pitch.

Aside from Victorias and San Carlos, the other teams making the Under-17 semis are Bago City --- 6-0 winner over St. Michael Academy-Pontevedra --- and Ma-ao, which pulled off a stunning 3-1 win over pre-tournament pick Pontevedra.

A potential all-Bago City final actually looms but Ma-ao would have to beat San Carlos in the knockout match Saturday at the Panaad Park and Stadium, while Bago battles Victorias in the other semis encounter.

Kabankalan actually appeared headed to the semis but it failed to show up for its match against La Consolacion College and lost by forfeiture, 3-0, allowing Victorias to sneak into the last four on goal difference.

The other squads earning semis slots in the Under-15 contest are St. Benilde School and La Carlota City, which defeated BCNHS and Minuluan Talisay, respectively via similar 3-0 scorelines at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College pitch.

Handumanan also barged into the semis, after winning against Valladolid, 2-0. San Carlos clashes against St. Benilde on Saturday in the first semifinal, followed by the Handumanan-La Carlota tiff.

Arwel Carton pounced on some shaky defending to score the opening goal for Ma-ao in the 15th minute and Kerbie Ratollosa doubled the lead 24 minutes later with a blistering volley from just inside the box.

Jeric Kim Dequilla put the outcome beyond doubt with an 88th minute goal, before Jemuel Arriola, scorer of six goals against BCNHS two weeks ago, pulled one back for Pontevedra a minute from time.

It was sweet revenge for the Ma-ao booters, who were beaten by Pontevedra in the Under-15 competition last year.

Bago City drew a hat-trick from Bon Jovi Amangquiton, who struck in the 35th, 58th and 60th minutes. Mark Sison and Bon Jovi Sison added a goal each in the rout. *CPT

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