Ten-man Stallion-Laguna edged out debuting Dynamic Herb Cebu, 1-0, in a rugged encounter to take top spot in Group A of the Copa Paulino Alcantara on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.
Abou Sy’s goal in the first half proved to be the difference as Stallion overcame a tough Cebu side in a heated match that became a battle for semifinal seeding in the group following the sudden pullout of last year’s Philippines Football League champion United City.
Six-foot-two American Abe Placito, later named Man of the Match, and 6-foot-1 Brazilian Gabe Silva held the fort at the back as Stallion got the full three points even after veteran Yannick Tuason was sent off on two yellow cards.
“We expected this to be a tough game and the guys played really well,” said Stallion coach Ernie Nierras. “We played a man down for like 25 minutes so our adjustments that we’ve made, obviously, prevented Cebu from scoring.”
Stallion will take on Mendiola FC 1991 or the Azkals Development Team in the semis on November 16. The two clubs will face on Saturday to determine the second place squad in Group B.
The defeat sent Cebu to an all-Visayan duel with Group B winner Kaya-Iloilo in the other pairing.
Cebu set a faster pace to begin its foray into top-flight competition, but that didn’t prevent Stallion from striking first.
Stallion kept the ball in play even after Kim Sungmin got hurt from a challenge by Cebu’s Daniel Gadia, resulting in Tuason sending a through ball to Sy, who poked the ball past keeper Ace Villanueva and defender Joaco Canas for the solitary goal in the 19th.
Things got heated in the 61st minute when Tuason and John Saldivar were each handed a yellow card by referee Steve Supresencia after the two engaged in a heated exchange that prompted players from both sides to join the fray.
Tuason was later booked a second yellow nine minutes later when he bumped Salvidar on the left flank, leaving the Horsemen a man down.
But Placito and Silva, teammates at California Baptist University, and company made sure Cebu won’t get rewarded despite the advantage and a 57 percent possession to preserve the Stallion lead until the final whistle.