Bacolod joins Iloilo in Suzuki Cup finals

Bacolod's Fil-Am striker Joshua Beloya scored his 13th goal of the tournament to open up an early 3-nil lead over Davao. The three-goal margin was a sufficient cushion as Davao mounted a furious comeback in the second half. Bacolod won 3-2 to join Iloilo in the finals of the PFF Suzuki U-23 National Cup.

Bacolod joins Iloilo in Suzuki Cup finals

game recap and photo by rick olivares

JARO, ILOILO CITY -- They were the favorites before the tournament began. One month and 27 teams later, Bacolod and Iloilo are the last two teams standing in the PFF Suzuki Under-23 National Cup. Although barely.

Bacolod was on its way on fashioning a rout against Davao when they led 3-nil after 45 minutes of play at the Central Philippine University football field yesterday. On display was a clinic in pinpoint passing and devastating finishes.

But Davao, resolving their midfield woes, pressed their attack and pulled two back in a thrilling second half that saw them nearly draw level. But time ran out on the spirited rally as Bacolod won 3-2 to join Iloilo in the first national football finals in four years.

In the 27^th minute, with Bacolod on a counter attack, striker Joshua Beloya fired a heat seeker straight at Davao keeper  RS Mantos from 25 yards out. The ball ricocheted off Mantos and spiraled at the edge of the box. Beloya collected the ball, scooted around Mantos who dived at the ball, and fired into the empty net for the first goal of the match.

In the 39^th minute, midfielder Ralph Layumas, who had just come in for Michael Pacite, blasted one from just inside the box that hit Davao defender Mark Anthony Fernandez and was redirected past Mantos for the second score.

And in the 40^th minute, Bacolod playmaker Aldrin Dolino was the recipient of a nifty cross that he volleyed home for his side’s third score.

At the half, Davao coach Ramoncito Carreon urged his side to not give up against a powerful Bacolod side. His side responded splendidly as they dominated Bacolod and gave them a taste of their version of the killer cross.

Aldinn Tiboron pulled back the first goal in the 66^th minute when his long-range shot hit the crossbar and bounced in to get on the board. In the 74^th minute with time running out on Davao’s comeback, Joey Arobo received a through ball to beat the defense and score one-on-one against John Robert Mendoza who conceded only his fifth goal of the tournament.

Davao had one last opportunity to send the game into extra time but their final offensive thrust but Clifford Dacera was dispossessed of the ball.

Last Sunday, Iloilo despite being thoroughly outplayed by NCR Team B, pounced on two mistakes by the Manilans to become the first team to advance to the Under-23 Finals.

The finals will be a home-and-away format between Iloilo and Bacolod. The first game will be played at CPU on May 19 at 2:30pm while the second match will be played at Panaad on May 22 at 6pm.

The finals match-up is sure to be fiery one as both cities have had a long-standing rivalry that dates back to “forever” as Iloilo head coach Marjo Allado called it.

“Palagi yan kahit anong age group Bacolod-Iloilo ang naglalaban,” added assistant coach Jessie Sazon.

Bacolod head coach Norman Fegidero Jr, who is no stranger to the rivalry, agreed. “Basta football walang magpapatalo. Bacolod pride. Iloilo pride. Bragging rights yan. But it’s going to be an exciting finals.”