NCR makes finals after penalty shootout win vs Central Visayas

Myke Miravite

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NCR makes finals after penalty shootout win vs Central Visayas
NCR pulled out a come-from-behind win over Central Visayas to earn a finals berth against defending champions Mimaropa at Palaro 2014

LAGUNA, Philippines – National Capital Region continued to roll in the Palarong Pambansa secondary football contention as they denied Central Visayas in penalty shootout, 4-3, to set themselves a date with Mimaropa in the finals, Friday, May 9 at the Laguna State Polytechnic University in Sta. Cruz.

For the first time in the tournament, the Big City bets were behind for most of the match, trailing their Visayas counterparts by a goal, but Masbate-born John Renz Saldivar equalized off a rebound with four minutes left in regulation that sent the game into penalty shootout. 

“I just trusted my boys, we went all out. It was our effort which won us the game,” NCR coach Mark Sorongon said.

Central Visayas' Moses Gingoyon is anxious during the penalty shootout. Photo by Mark Cristino/Rappler

The Cebu-based Central Visayas squad dictated the tempo for most of the match as they dominated the midfield and found themselves several good looks at goal.

Their hardwork was rewarded in the 35th minute when Mark Veloso’s cross found the unguarded Vincent Lovitos who promptly drilled in the opening goal of the match.

NCR – which steamrolled through the eliminations and topped Bracket D with three wins in as many games – tried to get back into the game but CVRAA’s defense held on for a 1-nil lead at halftime.

It was a different story, however, in the second half as Central Visayas found themselves on the backfoot under NCR’s constant pressure.

With the clock ticking away, Saldivar figured in a 76th minute goal-mouth scramble and pounced on the rebound to restore parity at 1-apiece.

“I just played my game. It was just pure heart,” Saldivar said.

Even in the penalty shootout, it was a neck-and-neck affair between the two perennial contenders as both side’s keepers smothered an attempt each including Saldivar’s shot that would have secured the win for NCR. 

Fortunately for the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws, Gio Pabualan displayed nerves of steel on the penalty spot and fired the winner that sent NCR back into the championships.

“I was just confident in taking the shot. I felt no pressure,” the three-time Palaro veteran Pabualan – who also represented Northern Mindanao in elementary division – told Rappler after the match.

NCR will try to unseat Mimaropa as the Palarong Pambansa football kings in the finals match on Saturday, May 9 at the Laguna Sports Complex Football Field. – Rappler.com


IN PHOTOS: NCR edges Central Visayas in football semis

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