MANILA, Philippines – Local football fans expect a Crispa-vs-Toyota-like rivalry when Bacolod battles football neighbor Iloilo for the Philippine Football Association (PFF) Suzuki Under-23 National Cup title.
“Mainit,” said Iloilo head coach Marjo Allado about his team’s rivalry with Bacolod.
“It can get rough at meron din trash talking. Bragging rights talaga [ang pinaglalabanan naming] pagdating sa football,” he added.
Aly Go, assistant coach for Bacolod, echoed Allado’s sentiment.
“Intense,” chimed in Aly Go, assistant coach for Bacolod. “Walang magpapatalo diyan.”
Bacolod (6 wins, 1 loss) is coached by Norman Fegidero Jr., a fearsome striker of the National team and Air Force in his heydays.
That “attacking philosophy” reflected on his team’s goal record. In 7 matches, Team Bacolod has scored 31 goals, the highest in the tournament.
Their best defense is a strong offense despite owning the services of John Robert Mendoza, one of the best goalkeepers of the tournament.
They also have the triumvirate of prodigious scorers in Joshua Beloya (13 goals), Jovin Bedic (5 goals), and Aldrin Dolino (5 goals).
Bacolod will catch a break against Iloilo (5 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw) which will play without their 2 key members in midfielder Francis Gustilo and defender Neckson Leonora. Both will miss their home match after receiving 2 yellow cards.
Like Bacolod, Iloilo is an offensive juggernaut.
They have struck 26 goals and surrendered only 4. They also have elite defenders in Ronald Batisla-Ong and Leonora. And that is where Allado has to be concerned. Leonora is out, and Jenver Vergara was injured during the semifinals clash with NCR.
“We have to really prepare kasi kulang kami. Sigurado we will do our best. Rivalry yan,” said Allado.
He also took a swipe at their Bacolod rivals. “Kami Iloilo pride. Puro taga-Iloilo. Walang taga-labas.”
Allado was referring to the no Bacolodnon players such as Jake Morallo who is from Dumaguete, Jovin Bedic who is from Barotac Nuevo, and Beloya who was born in Olongapo.
The first game of the home-and-away series will take place at the Central Philippine University (CPU) football field in Jaro, Iloilo at 2:30 p.m. on May 19.
The second match will be played at Panaad Stadium on May 22 at 6 p.m. The games will later be televised on ABS CBN.
ABS CBN News
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Sadya ni.... lantaw ta Finals sa CPU. Good luck IFA and NOFA.
ReplyDeletemga Iloilo players din pla sa Bacolod line-up, so whatever the result, Iloilo wins. hehe
ReplyDeleteFair play please....
ReplyDeleteThis is what I call the Philippine "clasico"!
ReplyDeletehahaha bitter pa yung coach ng iloilo. tsk tsk tsk
ReplyDeleteastig puro ilonggo lang sa iloilo team!!! parang athletic bilbao. puro basque lang pwede.
ReplyDeletetska chivas de guadalajara sa mexican league, bawal import sa team, puro mexicano lang.
ok lang ang pride kung di mo gagamitin sa masama.
p.s. ibig sabihin mas mayaman at magastos ung bacolod kase si fegidero ang coach nila tapos naka bili pa sila ng mga ilonggo players.
mig si bedic lang taga iloilo...ok indi tanan nga player taga iloilo ok....pamangkuton nyo si bedic eh kay ngaa naghampang sya sa negros...ngaa awayan pa na b...basta puros hiligaynon ang sa finals lipay naku....go NOFA
ReplyDeletekung si Morallo ay taga Dumaguete eh walang questtion yan kung sa NOFA sya kasi Negros din naman ang Dumaguete...actually hindi sya from Dumaguete, he is from Bacong, a town beside Dumaguete...
ReplyDeletegani ngaa indi na lang ta mangalipay kay visayas ang nagkilitanay sa finals....GO NOFA
ReplyDeleteon the other challenge sa NORFA and IFA sa under 19 dapat kayo rin ang magkikita sa national finals...
go visayas...
isa lang gid taga iloilo sa nofa daw mapatay gid kamo. maskin wala siya perdi man kamo gyapon.
ReplyDeleteproud nalang tayo lahat na nag dominate ang Negros Island at Panay Island sa Football...U23 is Ilo-Ilo vs NOFA while U19 it will be Ilo-Ilo vs NORFA...yun ay kung hindi sila magkita sa semis...sa palaro, visayas pa rin ang nagchampion kahit hindi nakapasok ang Western Visyas sa finals...majority dun taga Negros Oriental pa rin...
ReplyDeleteAyos
ReplyDeleteMay Don Bosco alumni ba na naglalaro sa Negros? Don Bosco Victorias used to dominate high school football in Negros Occ.
ReplyDeleteadmittedly dehado Iloilo.. we are not playing 5 of our best players..Ferrer, Gustilo, Leonora, Felongco & Subng..But I know they will do their best..Gudluck..Show them what talent and heart you got..
ReplyDeleteMay Don Bosco alumni ba na naglalaro sa Negros? Don Bosco Victorias used to dominate high school football in Negros Occ.
ReplyDeletesa under 19 mig may ara...galing t bilog ang bola naperde ta sa NORFA amu na nahulog ang NOFA sa under 19....
Actually, taga Iloilo ako pero sa Don Bosco ako nag high school.
ReplyDeleteDi ba mga 5 years ago, when NOFA won the National U-17 or whatever it was, it was represented by Don Bosco?
ReplyDeleteanu ba.... Australia dapat ang pag usapan... sana makapasok ang Australia sa AFF! mas masaya kapag nandyan ang Australia kac na chachallenge ang mga teams at kapag nanalo pa, o, laking points makukuha!
ReplyDeleteIloilo coach ---sour graping, undisciplined (it reflects on his players), unprofessional, oh wait, just want to make it short...IDIOT!
ReplyDelete