Doctora hat-trick boosts Smart XI

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• Doctora hat-trick boosts Smart XI

MANILA---Ruben Doctora delivered a hat-trick as Smart Bro Mobile Stallion-Barotac Nuevo overwhelmed Laos FC of Leyte, 6-1, Thursday to wrest the Visayas crown of the Smart Club Championship at the Central Philippine University pitch in Iloilo City.

The 27-year-old Doctora, a member of the national team that saw action in the AFC Challenge Cup in Iloilo three years ago, equalized for Stallions in the 19th minute with a well-taken goal from 10 yards, before giving his side the lead 12 minutes later. 

After earning a penalty that led to Francis Gustilo’s conversion from the spot at the stroke of halftime, Doctora put the outcome beyond doubt with another goal in the 57th minute. 

Despite missing Nigerian striker Cusmas Ogwejiofor who was suspended for getting sent off in the 4-1 win over Cebu, Laos took a shock lead in the third minute on a goalkeeping error by Stallions’ Louie Jay Sobrevega who failed to control a back pass from Tommy Escoltero. 

Jhenver Everga added two more late goals to complete Stallions’ rout which came after an 8-nil massacre of Cebu in their first match. 

Both Stallions and Laos advanced to the national finals of the tournament organized by the Philippine Football Federation and sponsored by Smart.