San Beda downs EAC to jumpstart Ang Liga title defense

MANILA, Philippines – The San Beda Red Booters dominated their National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) foes Emilio Aguinaldo College, 4-1, to start their Ang Liga title defense at the San Beda College football field last June 29.

The reigning NCAA champs showed why they are the football kings of the nation’s oldest collegiate athletic association by dictating the pace of the game from the starting whistle until the last minute.

Looking to kick-off their pre-season campaign with a bang, the Mendiola Eleven launched a series of attacks on the EAC goal on the 22nd, 23rd, and 25th minute, respectively, but came home empty handed.

A minute after, SBC’s Tacagni Connor broke the silence as he heads one into the back of the net off a cross from the right side of the pitch. 

Not long after the opening goal, the offense of the San Marcelino-based booters quickly retaliated but their efforts were wasted as the defense of the Lions of the football field proved to be too strong.

Another goal was scored by the SBC front line as Matthew Asong sinks one in off a corner kick during the 29th minute.

The EAC defense seemed non-existent as another goal went pass them this time from SBC forward Ashley Flores. 

To mark the start of the second half, a barrage of shots were launched by the football masters of Mendiola keeping the hands of their rival team’s goalkeeper busy. 

Consequently, Miguel Caindec converts on a breakaway run on the 58th minute to put the Red Booters in a comfortable 4-nil lead. 

The insurmountable lead did not stop the Generals from continuing their offensive as a series of long balls were struck towards their frontline to try and penetrate the SBC defense.

The efforts of the EAC booters were compensated as their offense converts on a penalty kick on the 68th minute following a tackle on one of their strikers to cut the lead deficit before fulltime, 4-1. 

Meanwhile, Ang Liga Special Cup champions Arellano University slips a surgical penalty kick by ace striker Alvin Obero to defeat the University of the East booters, 1-nil.

Other Ang Liga pre-season action:

Don Bosco Technical College of Mandaluyong draws with the University of the Philippines, 2-2.

College of Saint Benilde dominates Malayan Colleges Laguna, 9-nil.

Lyceum Philippines University defeats De La Salle Lipa, 2-nil.

Ateneo de Manila University blanks Graduate School College of Law-UST, 9-nil.

Rizal Technological University beats University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 4-1.

National University Team A draws with National University Team B, 3-3.

– Rappler.com