Bacolod: Bags inaugural PFF Suzuki U23 crown

by Rick Olivares

BACOLOD -- The explosive wind-up between Bacolod and Iloilo never materialized. The finals game of the PFF Suzuki U-23 National Cup ended in a shocking 9-0 rout in favor of Bacolod that was unbecoming of the ages-old rivalry.

The match's end actually ended at the sixth minute when Joshua Beloya blasted home his tournament-high 14thgoal from 30 yards out that blew past Iloilo’s makeshift keeper Chester Braga who was frozen in his tracks.
Iloilo, needing to overcome a 3-1 deficit at the end of their home leg in Iloilo three days earlier and battling all sorts of issues off field, had the air sucked out of them. Bacolod as coached by Norman Fegidero Jr., put on a clinical display of midfield wizardry, finishing power, and remarkable poise against a punishing Ilonggo defense.