The rains may not have gotten to Biñan in the same manner they did the metropolis earlier today, but Global-Cebu’s backline certainly felt like an apocalyptic deluge fell upon them as they were battered 5-1 by the hosts Stallion Laguna in PFL action earlier this afternoon
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Global actually started the game off on the brighter foot as both sides negotiated the wet pitch early on, testing Patrick Deyto twice in the first 10 minutes. The game turned on its head in the 14th minute, however, as Nicolas Ferrer lofted a perfectly placed cross for Abou Mohamed Sy to nod in his second goal of the campaign. Global did not give up on it however; locking down on their offside traps, they strangled the Stallion offense for the erstwhile remainder of the half and equalized 3 minutes from the break. Koichi Belgira launched a peach of a freekick from the top of the box past the outstretched Deyto to seemingly take the proceedings square into the half; however, there would be one last twist in this tale.
Stallion would hurl men forward on the break and with the effective last kick of the first half, Darwin Regala put the men in pink ahead; not without some controversy however, as a livid Global backline remonstrated with the officials to have the goal stricken due to an offside claim that was not granted; thus the half ended 2-1 to Stallion.
The second half started off with more fireworks, as Global pushed and prodded for that precious equalizer; more opportunities went begging and the game again turned on its head. Stallion were able to break the game open with 2 goals in 3 minutes, as rapidfire scores from Jan-Jan Melliza and Nate Alquiros in the 55th and 58th minutes respectively broke Global’s resistance and put the game to bed. Fitch Arboleda netted a fifth goal in the 84th minute off a rebound and Global forward Matthew Custodio almost pulled another one back, striking the corner of the crossbar, but it was not to be for the Blue and Yellow as they fell in valiant defeat, and see Stallion move up to erstwhile second place, pending results elsewhere.
Stallion XI: Deyto, Nana, J.Clarino, Regala (45+1″), Ferrer (Valmayor), Alquiros(58″) [Amistoso], Doctora (M. Clarino), Arboleda(84″), Melliza (55″), Sy (14″)
Global XI: Gasic (Ortiz), Cutamora, Aristorenas, Beaton, Belgira(42″), Bricenio, Uzoka, Lawless (Dorego), Canieso, Custodio, Pitogo
WHAT’S NEXT
Stallion next face Ceres on Saturday, July 7 at the Biñan Football Stadium.
Global are taking a two-week break from league action.
Other Happenings
Meanwhile at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Kaya-Iloilo FC and Ceres-Negros FC picked up seemingly routine victories.
The Mighty thumped Philippine Air Force FC 5-0 behind a Jordan Mintah brace, alongside goals for Alfred Osei, Jovin Bedic from the spot and Daryl Roberts off the bench.
The Busmen, meanwhile, put their early AFC Cup exit behind them with a 4-0 win against Mendiola FC 1991, led by a brace from Bienvenido Marañon. Curt Dizon also netted for the 2-time PFL Champions, while Mendiola’s Aljo Zabala stuck one past his own keeper.
