by Jerome S. Galunan Jr.
IT'S the Ceres-Negros Team’s turn.
The Negrense booters is looking for a finals berth as they battle the Davaeños today in the Philippine Football Federation Suzuki Under-23 National Cup semifinal match at the Central Philippine University pitch in Iloilo City.
This after the Iloilo FA already snatched a spot in the finals after nipping the National Capital Region (NCR)-Team B Sunday, 2-1 at the Barotac Nuevo football ground.
The Norman Fegidero Jr.–led Ceres-Negros booters, behind Joshua Beloya, Jovin Bedic and Aldrin Dolino, is expected to continue displaying their attacking prowess against Davao.
These players are among the top scorers in the tournament. Belayo has a total of 12 goals, while Bedic and Dolino have 5 and 4, respectively.
Meanwhile, Davao is expected to rely on its keeper Rufino Mantos, who directs their defense, and Enrique Romero-Salas who drives their engine.
If the Negrenses will take this semis match, the finals against Iloilo will restore the rivalry between these teams. Both teams already met in the regional qualifying in Dumaguete last month with Negros winning over Iloilo, 1-0.
In the match between Iloilo and NCR Team B, the latter squad’s inability to find the back of the net and a pair of defensive mistakes cost them greatly against the Ilonggos.
In the 23rd minute, NCR defender Ronnie Aguisanda headed the ball towards his own goal, which Iloilo’s Chester Braga hounded down. With his teammate, Shirmar Felongco sprinting forward, all they had to beat was NCR’s keeper Patrick Deyto.
As Deyto rushed out for defense, Braga laid the ball for Felongco who slotted the ball into an empty net.
NCR then answered with a series of attacks but unfortunately, they were able to hit only the crossbar in four attempts.
Striker Jon Melliza, who had been marked well since the quarterfinals, equalized the game in the 78th minute. He evaded Iloilo’s defense and went past keeper Wilson Muñoz.
As NCR renewed their attack, misfortune struck when its defender Deo Segunial was whistled for a handball inside the box in the 83rd minute. Francis Gustilo converted that penalty shot for a 2-1 lead to take the wind out of NCR’s sails.
Iloilo was the first to qualify for a home and away finals that will take place on the 19th and 22nd of May.
Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on May 16, 2011.
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