Bacolod, Iloilo duel for U-23 football title

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines – Fierce rivals Bacolod and Iloilo battle for all the marbles tonight in the second leg of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Suzuki Cup U-23 National Cup championship that was made more interesting by the PFF’s decision to declare the series opener a 1-1 standoff.

Gametime is set at 6 p.m. at the Panaad Stadium with Bacolod and Iloilo out to settle their score in the confrontation that has already reached the boardrooms.

The Bacolodnons and the Ilonggos actually battled to a 1-1 tie after full time in the first leg in Jaro last Thursday, but the visiting booters from the “City of Smiles” scored two goals in extra time en route to a 3-1 win. Iloilo filed a protest citing rules in home-and-away format meets wherein a draw is only broken via an additional 15 minutes in the second leg, not the first.

PFF secretary general Chito Manuel said after a deliberation of the tournament competitions committee, the federation ruled to void the extension that took place, in effect scratching off Bacolod’s two-goal advantage.

Likewise, two Iloilo players who drew red cards in extra time – goalkeeper Wilson Muñoz and Rhante Bayquin – will escape what should have been an automatic suspension for the do-or-die setto.

“Our official (match commissioner Augilebert Encontro) made a mistake, he exceeded his authority (by calling for extra time). The game’s already over after 90 minutes,” explained Manuel.

Bacolod’s assistant coach Ramon Janeo said the verdict notwithstanding, his wards will show up for the rubbermatch and play with a lot more fire before their home crowd.

“I told the players to set aside these nagging issues and concentrate on the game and our goal from the very start, which is to win,” Janeo said in Filipino. “This (PFF decision dissolving Bacolod’s two-goal cushion) will even give us extra motivation (to win the title over Iloilo).”

But the Bacolod side, according to Janeo, is also poised to unleash a counter action against Iloilo, a protest against the latter for “fielding three ineligible players” in the semis and national finals.

Janeo claimed that Iloilo paraded three players who are not registered in their original lineup for the Visayas regional qualifiers, Peter Sobredo, Nathaniel Boblo, and Mark Ferrer. This, he said, was in violation of eligibility rules and should merit forfeiture.