Btac. Nuevo dethrones Sta. Barbara FC in shootout
Iloilo City -- Goalkeeper Angelo Ajeno made the difference for Btac. Nuevo as he saved Bervick Italia's kick in penalty shootout as Btac. Nuevo claimed the 2005 Jerry Treņas Cup at the Lapaz football field. Ajeno redeemed himself as Italia scored both goals for Sta. Barbara in regulation time both on the penalty spot.
SEA Games veteran Chippy Caligdong was found unmarked after a counter attack at the right wing to put the Barotacnons ahead on the 26th minute. However Italia leveled the score on the 44th minute when referee Jaime Nicoalu II called a foul on John Cain against striker Kinley Delgado. It was Sta. Barbara who controlled the games at the first half but could not produce a marker and
In the second half, Italia was given another chance at the spot when Barotacs top defender, Tommy Escultero was called for a foul inside the box. Italia converted to make the score 2-1. As the Sta. Barbara supporters start to celebrate, tournaments top striker Ruben Doctora Jr. found the net with two minutes left on the clock to tie the count at 2-2. With the tie , and after twenty minutes of extra time both teams are still deadlock paving the way for the penalty shootout. It was Jezurel Tonog and Val Annniversario who scored first as Ajeno stopped Italia's kick and veteran Tyson Juarez's kick hitting the post. Kinley Delgado trimmed the deficit but Mark Becite and Tommy Escultero sealed the win for Btac.
This is a classic game as we end year 2005. With about 4,000 spectators witnessing good football, we will be ready to host next years National Open slated February 22-27, 2006 here at Iloilo, stressed Iloilo Football Association General Secretary Joseph Gensaya. In about two weeks we will prepare the list of the training pool that will comprise Team Iloilo, with this tournament as the basis for the selection, he added.
The tournament was made possible with the support of Mayor Jerry P. Treņas through the office of Youth and Sports Development and Iloilo City Sports Council head Hon. Joe Espinosa III.