Ang Liga: San Beda Wallops UE

Back with its true form, the San Beda Red Booters bashed the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 2-0, in the 10th Ang Liga football season last July 27 at the San Beda College football field.

Early in the game, both teams started to get into each other’s teeth, as some players went down crashing into the ground hard due to the physicality employed by both squads.

Handled by former Red Booters Jerome and Gerard Orcullo, the Recto-based squadron made it difficult for the Liman-mentored ensemble to execute their game plan by instigating swarming defense and throwing a phalanx of defenders wherever the ball is.

Under-21 National team member Fitch Arboleda blundered a clear shot at a goal at the 21st minute of the first half which could have given the early lead for the Red Warriors.

Returning goal-keeper Anthony Albao came through with a pivotal save at the 31st minute mark as Arboleda fed teammate Reginald Gomez with a cross from the left flank but could not snatch the goal.

At the 40th minute mark, explosive midfielder Raffy Cabug fumbled the lone clear attempt as the first 45 minutes of the game expired with both teams still scoreless.

After the halftime break, both teams went out eager to get the first goal of the game as they put on the clamps to shackle the offensive ploys of the opposing team.

Scoring wizard Dindong Fornea broke his silence throughout the first half as he showed his arsenal to sink the first goal of the contest at the 48th to give San Beda a 1-0 advantage.

UE could not keep up with the offensive and defensive prowess of the Red Booters as veteran striker Carlos, which did not play the entire first half, scored an uncontested goal at 89th minute of the final half to seal the victory for the Red Booters, 2-0.

Interim head coach Jeffrey “Pong” Liman explained the difficulties that the Red Booters had as they went scoreless during the first half.

“Una, yung defense tentative, yung team is relaxed, di sumusunod sa game plan tapos yung concentration ng mga seniors mababa. Isa na din siguro yung familiarity sa system naten nung coaches ng UE dahil dati silang Red booters,” he said, referring to his former teammates during his playing years.

Going into the next game, he wants his boys to improve more on their defense and execution.

“Kailangan sharp yung execution ng team. Di pwedeng tentative dapat focus lang sa game,” he said.

source: Jerome Gatus/Nissi Icasiano