Bacolod vs Iloilo in Suzuki U-23 finals could get rough

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.

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