Bacolod holds off NCR for fourth straight win in Suzuki U23 quarters
by rick olivares
PANAAD, BACOLOD -- Tournament favorite Bacolod played a great first 45 minutes before they survived a furious challenge by the National Capital Region Team B in the second half to open their PFF Suzuki Under-23 National Cup quarterfinals campaign with a 2-1 win.
Joshua Beloya, Bacolod’s attacking midfielder, scored his seventh goal in four matches when he pounced on a mistake by NCR’s defense which did not react to a loose ball just outside the box. Beloya quickly collected the loose ball and volleyed it past keeper Patrick Deyto for the first goal with only six minutes gone by.
In the 32nd minute, striker Jovin Bedic scored on a brilliant three-pass play, to put the home side up 2-nil.
Right from the kickoff, Bacolod put immense pressure on NCR’s midfield that was led by national player Yannick Tuason. They relentlessly pressed and attacked in a 3-5-2 formation, a strategy by coach Norman Fegidero Jr. who noted that the Manila-based eleven had yet to play a full game in the tournament. “We knew they would not yet have that feel for regional football and we wanted to test their onfield communication and chemistry.”
“Now I know how it feels,” Manila keeper Deyto would say later. “And now I can say I played in Panaad.”
Despite the quick two strikes, NCR was not without decent chances. In the first half alone, the Hans Smit-mentored squad had six corners to the one of Bacolod.
The story was quite different in the second half as NCR tightened up on defense and kept better possession of the ball. Striker Jess Melliza appeared to have pulled back one in the 56th minute but was whistled for an offside by the linesman that drew vociferous protests from the NCR bench.
The entry of UAAP MVP Stephen Permanes in the 69th minute galvanized the NCR attack and they made hay when in the 74th minute, NCR defender Raymark Fernandez, headed home a cross by Tuason to make a game of it.
The goal was also the first conceded by Bacolod in four matches. Unfortunately, time wasn’t on NCR’s side. Under relentless assault, Fegidero switched to a more defensive 4-4-2 formation that held until full time.
“We got beaten by our inexperience and their counters,” said a still optimistic Smit. “The objective is to qualify. If we can get a win against Dipolog and Masbate then we’ll be okay. But we also have to score goals.”
“We are going to learn from this,” said Tuason tirelessly worked both ends of the field. “Now we know what it’s like.”
The quarterfinals in Bacolod continues on Monday, May 8, when NCR plays Masbate at 3pm while Bacolod looks to solidify their semifinals bid when the face a depleted Dipolog side in the main game at 5pm. Dipolog, the second placer in the Mindanao regionals, is missing three players from their starting eleven including striker Mike Tulang who has six goals in the competition.
Over at the Laguna leg of the quarterfinals, NCR 1, humbled 7-nil by Iloilo during the opening day, hope to also get back on track when they play Davao at 8am at the UP Los Baños pitch. Home team Laguna hopes to stave off powerhouse Iloilo when they face off at 3pm.
Starting XI
Bacolod
John Robert Mendoza
Carmelo Tacusalme Lemuel Unabia Janrick Soriano
J Baguiro Joshua Beloya Jake Morallo Gino Palomo Michael Pacite
Jovin Bedic Adrian Dolino
Ojay Clarino Jess Melliza
Nikko Villa Yannick Tuason Gerald Pacquiao Neil Ryan Lirio
David Basa Deo Segunial Raymark Fernandez Ronnie Aguisanda
Patrick Deyto
NCR
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