Iloilo nips NCR to book U23 Finals seat

This appears in the Monday, May 16, 2011 edition of the Business Mirror.


Iloilo nips NCR to book U23 Finals seat

story and pics by rick olivares

BAROTAC NUEVO, ILOILO -- A football coach once said, a striker can make a thousand mistakes and it won’t hurt a team. one defensive mistake on the other hand… well, that kills.

The National Capital Region Team B, a team loaded with UAAP stars dominated possession, corners, shots on goal – you name it. But their inability to find the back of the net and a pair of defensive mistakes cost them dearly as Iloilo went on to beat them 2-1 in the semifinals of the PFF Suzuki Under-23 National Cup.

In the 23^rd minute, NCR defender Ronnie Aguisanda headed the ball towards his own goal that Iloilo’s Chester Braga chased down. With midfield mate Shirmar Felongco sprinting forward, all they had to beat was goalkeeper Patrick Deyto.

As Deyto rushed out, Braga laid the ball for Felongco who slotted the ball into an empty net.

NCR answered with a series of attacks that saw them hit the crossbar four times. Striker Jon Melliza who had been marked well since the quarterfinals, equalized in the 78^th minute when his set piece evaded the Iloilo wall and curved back in to blow past keeper Wilson Muñoz.

As NCR renewed their attack, misfortune struck when defender David Basa was whistled for a handball inside the box in the 83^rd minute. Francis Gustilo converted the penalty shot for a 2-1 lead to take the wind out of NCR’s sails.

Iloilo qualified for the home and away finals that will take place on the 19^th and 22^nd of May. The other finalist has yet to be decided as Bacolod and Davao have yet to play their semis match.

“I knew the pressure was on them,” said Gustilo who recalled his thoughts prior to taking the penalty shot. “If I missed – but I knew I wouldn’t – the worst that could happen was we will go into extra time.”

“We are looking forward to getting back at Bacolod if they advance to the finals,” said victorious Ilonggo head coach Marjo Allado who is a Barotac Nuevo native. “It was a good victory in front of the home crowd considering that the NCR team is very good but a championship will be better.”

NCR gambled early in the match when they sent defenders Segunial and David Basa on the attack. The relentless pressure put Iloilo on their heels. But after the Felongco goal, NCR went to a more conventional 442 formation.

A disappointed Hans Smit, NCR coach, lamented his team’s ouster from the first national competition in four years. “All the goals against us (including the two by Bacolod in the quarterfinals) have been on the counter and a mistake. Sayang because the boys played their hearts out.”

Bacolod and Davao will play at Central Philippine University in Jaro, Iloilo on Monday, May 16 at 230pm.

Notes: Because of the carry-over system in the cards, Iloilo will miss the services of Francis Gustilo, Shirmar Felongco, and Neckson Leonara in the first game of the finals due to two yellow cards. After the match, Iloilo Football Association General Secretary Duffie Botavara texted NCR coach Hans Smit: “Congratulations for allowing Barotac Nuevo to watch your team. You played better than Iloilo.” The day before the match, NCR expressed concern about playing in Barotac Nuevo. Botavara assuaged Smit’s concern when he said that “Barotacnons appreciate good football. Play good football and they will cheer for you.” And true enough, the crowd was respectful and highly appreciative of the match and the visiting team. 
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This was a quality ballgame. I wish that others were able to witness this. ABS CBN covered it and it will come out as a segment (rather than the whole game). But.... I do have the entire game on DV8. Will find a way to get that on youtube. The talent and skill was on display for all. As someone who has watched and written extensively about UAAP football, it sure was fun to see Stephen Permanes, Jay Eusebio, David Basa, Nikko Villa play as amateurs one more time. Steph and Gung (Villa) were the team captains and I thought it was a marvelous opportunity to work with them. Same with the other teams. This has been a most gratifying experience -- writing about regional football. I made new friends and it made me appreciate the game all the more.