Stallion-Laguna finally got the win that eluded them throughout the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara after edging out Dynamic Herb Cebu, 2-1, to secure third place on Sunday, May 22 at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.
A late goal by substitute Jo Warren Bedia enabled the Horsemen to secure the bronze medal of the cup competition for the second straight year despite a rough and tumble run to the semifinals.
Bedia won it with two minutes before stoppage time as Stallion once again got the better of Cebu, the same team it defeated in the consolation game of the 2021 Copa that went to penalties.
Cebu, which cancelled an Abou Sy opener with an equalizer from Arda Cinkir, could only settle for another fourth place finish after its bid to claim a medal before heading home was thwarted anew by Stallion.
But the campaign should give Cebu a positive outlook moving forward after winning its first four matches in the elimination and placing second in the table.
The Gentle Giants were later bumped off by eventual champion United City FC in the semis.
For Stallion, placing third for the second straight time seemed unlikely after a rough start to the campaign.
The Horsemen blew some chances at securing victories in the eliminations, but the four draws were enough to see off Maharlika-Manila and secure a berth in the semis where they eventually lost to Kaya-Iloilo.
Goals were rare during Stallion’s campaign but it was able to come through with the opener in the first 17 minutes when Sy beat two defenders and Cebu keeper John Zambrano.
Cebu would tie it up in the 34th when Cinkir produced his fourth goal of the competition when he came up with an open header after Ren Okuda’s tight-angled attempt while being challenged by Stallion keeper Kenneth James near the goal.
It appeared that penalties loomed as both sides couldn’t find the go-ahead score in the second half until Bedia came through for Stallion.
A low strike by Allen Angeles was saved by Zambrano before Bedia made two quick attempts that were stopped by the Cebu goalie.
Bedia then fired it high enough to hit the back of the net to produce the goal that sealed the deal for the Horsemen.