Bacolod, Iloilo forge dream soccer finale

MANILA, Philippines - Bacolod survived Davao’s fierce rally from three goals down and pulled off a 3-2 victory to set up an explosive showdown with Iloilo for the PFF Suzuki Under-23 National Cup crown.

The Bacolod booters raced to a 3-nil lead after 45 minutes of play at the Central Philippine University football field in Jaro, Iloilo City but needed to fend off the rallying Davaoeños to preserve the victory last Monday.

Iloilo, meanwhile, bucked NCR Team B’s challenge and pounced on two errors by the Big City booters to clinch the win and become the first team to advance to the Under-23 Finals.

The championship will be a home-and-away format with Bacolod and Iloilo clashing at CPU on May 19 at 2:30 p.m. The second match will be played at Panaad on May 22 at 6 p.m.

In the 27th minute, with Bacolod on a counterattack, striker Johua Beloya fired 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 scored the first goal of the match.

In the 39th minute, midfielder Ralph Layumas, who came in for Michael Pacite, blasted one from just inside the box, hitting Davao defender Mark Anthony Fernandez then past Mantos for the second goal.

And in the 40th 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 66th minute when his long-range shot hit the crossbar and bounced in to get on the board. In the 74th 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.