SBC booters gain lead

The San Beda Red Lions football team surged to the top of the table of "Ang Liga" Wednesday after drawing with the Philippines National Under-23 squad, 0-0, at home in Mendiola. Attack football was on display as the rampaging Lions pushed the RP U-23 Nationals back time and again.

SBC coach Ryan de la Cruz could have seen his booters take the lead in the 30th minute when national defender Rolly Perez brought down Dan ‘The Bull’ Padernal inside the box. Striker Vaughn Melendrez stepped up for the spot kick saved by U-23 ‘keeper Jay Archie Marcaida.

More of the same after the break as the Lions begun to dominate, but RP coach Aris Caslib’s disciplined back four held line and kept the attackers at bay. U-23’s Jervic Italia controlled the back line with Matthew Jaucian, Rolly Perez and Joe Dignadice and prevented SBC from finding the back of the net. The match for the Ang Liga leadership did not demand much whistle-blowing from referee Chris Bautista as it was generally a clean and possession football played.

At the end of the match, RP U-23 coach Caslib said," It was the first good game for the team. I’m very happy with the discipline displayed by our back four".<