Iloilo keeps bid afloat; Negros, NCR prevail

CAGAYAN de Oro city — Iloilo rekindled hope of still making it into the top-four when it blasted host Cagayan de Oro/Misamis Oriental, 5-0, yesterday and then watched as Group A co-leader Laguna edge Davao by a breather, 1-0, in the ongoing 2005 PFF-Adidas National Men’s Championship here at Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center.

The result put pressure on the shoulders of Laguna booters as a loss to Iloilo in their 9:30 a.m. tussle this morning will give the latter a slot into the semis thanks to its overwhelming goals scored against the host.

"Delikado sa tiebreak ang Laguna kahit na matalo lang sila ng isang goal laban sa Iloilo dahil sa 5-0 advantage na nakuha nila nitong umaga (yesterday morning) sa CDO-Misor," said tournament commissioner Pablito Araneta.

Iloilo’s first goal, delivered by Kinley Delgado in first half injury time, dampened the spirit of the Cagayan squad. From then on, six yellow cards plus a costly red card on John Derek Sahirani became the hosts downfall.

Iloilo’s Paolo Roman Suner (59th minute), Delgado (62nd), Kent Gobuyan (87) and Clint Gobuyan (90) blasted four more goals into the back of the net to eliminate the hosts from this years title race.

Jeoffrey Lobaton wiggled out from a phalanx of Davao defenders to volley the winning goal just six meters from the goal mouth in the 49th minute to guarantee Laguna a slot in the next stage. Laguna has won all its matches in Group A.

Sunday’s double-header was a real show of might and power for title favorites Negros Occidental-Victorias Sardines and NCR-Philippine Navy who are both drawn in Group B.

Negros did not frustrate a throng of Ilonggo-speaking fans that trooped at the venue as it bucked a sluggish start to whip Quezon province, 2-0, courtesy of Joshua Fegidero’s double whammy in the 28th and 57th minutes.

More impressive was NCR’s 3-0 thrashing of Zamboanga beefed up by three Turkey nationals in Er Tahir, Dikmen Furkan and Tamer Baydogan who was replaced in the second half due to minor injury.

Striker Jimmy Doña accounted for two goals in the 38th and 86th minutes as Marlon Pinero knocked his own off a penalty kick in the 50th minute for the defending champion’s dominating start.