Red Booters Escape Arellano Scare In Ang Liga Opening

Aiming for their first win in the 10th Ang Liga football tournament, the San Beda Red Booters narrowly escaped defeat from the hands of the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs, 3-2, last July 8 at the San Beda football field.

Despite being down by two goals in the first half, the Mendiola XI found their winning form in the second half as they came from behind to bag the ball game versus the reigning Ang Liga champions.

In the early proceedings, the Chiefs charged to the defensive blockade of the Bedan brigade, knowing the first goal will set the tune of the game.

NCAA Season 87 best striker Alvin Obero scored for the Legarda-based squad, by way of a free kick at the 20th minute mark of the regulation.

The AU booters refused to back down from the remorseless might of San Beda as Obero once again ambushed a hard-fought goal, ending the game’s first chapter with a 2-nil edge.

Come second half, the Red shirts turned the tide of the battle as Philippine U-22 members Dingdong Fornea, Nhiboy Pedimonte and Ali Baldo were launching their own cross-passes and breakaways to feed the ball to an open striker.

Due to the accurate ball movement, Arellano defenders were scrambling to fend off the ferocious attack of the college football squadron from Mendiola.

With the substitution of Jon Aaron Carlos and Raffy Cabug at the 60th minute, the Red Booters kept the game in a fast-paced manner as roadrunners Ashley Flores and Ed Walohan rushed the ball away from the exhausted Arellano legion. 

At the 70th minute, San Beda found an unlikely hero in senior kicker Baldo as he scored the first goal for the Red-and-White troop.

Walohan, who is spending his second year for the proud football team of Aris Caslib, found the golden pot at the other end of the rainbow as he quickly sneaked a brilliant header, courtesy of a long pass from veteran striker Fornea, 2-2.

The Arellano duo of Obero and Julius Lorilla tried to regain the lead, but senior goalie Anthony Albao slammed the door on the attempts of the Chiefs.

Floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee, Flores wrote the concluding story as he notched the final goal at the 85th minute to clinch the lead and victory for the current NCAA football kings, 3-2.

According to acting head coach Jeffrey “Pong” Liman, each member of the team exerted every effort to claim the first “W” in the league.

“It has always been the trademark of Bedan athletes to never back down and have the heart of a lion. Everyone from the team worked hard and contributed to win the game,” Liman said.

After leading San Beda in a come-from-behind conquest in their season-opening match, Liman mentioned that the team must fill-in the gaps to ensure their victory in the upcoming games. 

“The whole team has to push themselves and improve in order to secure the winning streak. We could not afford to lose in the games to come,” he ended.

Article by: Victor Immanuel Icasiano