Pachanga preps for UFL Cup knockout stages

Pachanga keeper Kenneth Dolloso in training at West Negros University

Pachanga preps for UFL Cup knockout stages

reports & photos by rick olivares

Bacolod City -- Pachanga FC, one of the country's newest football squads repaired to the city of Bacolod, Negros Occidental for a weeklong training camp in preparation for the upcoming Round of 16 in the UFL Cup.

Pachanga topped Group C, dubbed "the Group of Death" because of the presence of Iloilo-power Stallion and defending Cup champion Global. But the Freddie Gonzalez-owned club showed its mettle when they beat Stallion 2-0 in its Cup debut then dominated the champions 2-0 before conceding two late goals for a 2-2 draw. The Red Phoenix, as the club is nicknamed, crushed Queen City United 4-0 in its final group assignment. The two wins and one draw saw them take their group with 7 points while Stallion was second with 6 points. Global advanced despite only collected four of the nine points available by virtue of the Cup rules that allow the two best third place teams to move on.

The Red Phoenix features players like the U-23 Azkals' Neckson Leonora; former national player Robert Cañedo; members of the U-23 national champions Bacolod in Jovin Bedic, Camelo Tacusalme and Gino Palomo; UST Growling Tigers Shirmar Felongco, Ronnel Lagrimas, and Ronald Batisla-Ong; and a smattering of African footballers.

Said head coach Norman Fegidero Jr. who once coached the national side, "The training camp is good for us because it will improve our chemistry and tactics. It's also a good time for us to bond as a team."

Pachanga has two-a-day practices and this Wednesday morning, November 16, the club played Fegidero's West Negros University team. The semi-pro club handily beat the young collegians 5-1.

The Mustangs actually dominated the first 15 minutes of play but as soon as Pachanga’s midfield gained control of the middle third, the play dramatically shifted.

Forward Alu Kigbu opened the scoring with a volley from 20 yards out that dipped inside just before the far post. Kigbu followed that with a corner shot a few minutes later that the WNU keeper misplayed for an own goal.

WNU’s star striker Jimwell Areola pulled back one with a header off a cross against returning Pachanga keeper Kenneth Dolloso.

Come the second half, Bedic scored on a cross by Gino Palomo. Palomo himself scored before Cross Ubiam closed out the scoring by going one on one with the keeper.

Above: Goalkeeping coach Kim Versales works with the WNU keeper. Below with Coaches Kim, Nonoy Fegidero Jr., and Alvin Ocampo at West Negros University post-scrimmage with the Mustangs. Not in the picture in Marjo Allado who is in Manila attending a coaches' seminar.