Baguio stops Tarlac in PFF-U23

By Roderick Osis

Wednesday, May 2, 2012
ENDING its first round campaign on a high note, the Baguio City Football Association trashed Tarlac Football Association at the resumption of the PFF Suzuki Cup under 23 tournament at the BSU football grounds.
And thanks to 3-1 victory, BCFA has avenged its sorry loss the last time out against Tarlac in the home and away tournament format to stay close in the hunt for the North Luzon title with the National Capital rival as its closest rival.

Eleazar Batling opened the scoring for the home team in the 12 minute mark of the first half as Baguio took most of the possessions during the first 45 minutes of the ball game.
“This is a big win for us because it didn’t only avenge our loss but it also solidifies our position in the second spot in the standings,” said BCFA’s Henry Pawid.
The second goal for BCFA came 48 minutes after the first goal as Alcurt Fuchigami scored on in the 60th mark of the second half to put Baguio atop, on a 2 to nil with ball possession still in control for the highland booters.
And to secure the victory, Jeno Aquino then scored a hattrick to seal the win in the 76th minute mark as the appreciative crowd celebrated in frenzy.
It will be BCFA’s second win in four games that came with one draw and a 3-2 loss dealt by Tarlac in their earlier game.
Tarlac salvaged a lone goal in the dying minutes of the ball game but Pawid said had they not let Tarlac a goal, it could have spelled the team the top spot in the standings.
“We could have taken the number one spot because of the goal difference but it was another breaks of the game and good thing was the team have jelled after our scoreless draw against NCR,” added Pawid.
Pawid said they will try to secure another victory on May 6 when they face Rizal before closing out their campaign with NCR later this month.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on May 02, 2012.