The Azkals Development Team leaned on two first-half goals that came in a matter of seconds before defeating Maharlika-Manila, 3-1, in a testy 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara match on Monday, April 25 at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.
Oliver Bias, playing in just his second match of the competition, and Lance Ocampo scored in the 25th and 26th minutes which helped ADT secure the full three points and solidify its hold on third spot with seven points.
Dennis Chung’s late goal sealed the final tally for ADT after Maharlika pulled one back courtesy of Korean Sung-Min Kim’s header in the 66th.
ADT keeper Quincy Kammeraad and Maharlika’s OJ Clarino were later sent off after the two figured in a scuffle following Kim’s goal, leaving both clubs with 10 men each.
In the end, it was the developmental side which came out victorious in what would turn out to be its final on-pitch match for the elimination round.
Competitions officials later handed ADT a 3-0 defeat after announcing that its match with Dynamic Herb Cebu on April 28 will not push through due to the upcoming Malaysian camp set up by the Philippine Under-23 squad in preparation for the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games.
Maharlika lost in its first match since March 25, thus falling to fifth place in the standings with still three points through four matches.
ADT was the dominant side right from the beginning, later paying dividends when Bias scored a nifty finish after a pass by Jermi Darapan in the 23rd.
The scoreline would only last for over a minute as Ocampo coolly made it 2-0 for ADT, becoming the sixth player in the 2022 Copa to score at least two goals in the competition.
There were chances by ADT to extend its lead but shots, including one from Bias, were off target.
Kim scored a header way past the hour mark off a cross by Gino Clarino from the right side. It was there when things got rowdy as Kammeraad tried to prevent Kim from taking the ball while inside the goal line. OJ Clarino would join the fray and eventually got into a physical encounter with Kammeraad before cooler heads prevailed.
ADT continued to search for that insurance goal until the 89th minute when Chung beat Maharlika keeper Henri Bandeken Fong for the final tally.
Maharlika will see action on May 5 against Dynamic Herb Cebu, hoping to pick up a crucial win in hopes of staying alive in the semis race.