Editor's Note: Published on page A23 of the Feb. 23, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
BAROTAC NUEVO, Iloilo -- Team Biscocho House-Iloilo needed a wake-up call at halftime and it came from the people of this football-crazy town.
With the crowd of about 3,000 getting uneasy at the break because of a lackluster first-half performance, the Iloilo booters fought back from a goal down to notch a 5-2 triumph over Baguio and seize a semifinal berth in the PFF-National Men’s Open Championship here.
“This one’s for the people of Barotac. They did not want us to lose,” said Iloilo coach Lurex Araneta.
Kenley Delgado struck twice in the first half to keep Iloilo afloat, before Ruben Doctora, Bervic Italia and Dan Padernal knocked in a goal each in the final half as Iloilo secured win No. 2 in Group B.
“It’s difficult playing here, there’s too much pressure on our part because the people know their football,” said Doctora, who scored the go-ahead goal in the 70th minute from close range.
Iloilo’s dramatic win almost overshadowed title-holder National
Capital Region’s 10-0 rout of Iligan in a game where Philippine team members Ali Borromeo and Ian Araneta came up with a hat trick each.It was NCR’s second win in as many games in Group A, giving the Manileños another semis slot in the eight-team tilt.
Completing the semifinal cast were newcomer Northern Cotabato and Negros Occidental, which pulled off a 1-0 win over Zamboanga for its second victory.
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