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[av_heading heading=’Meralco settles for bronze in PFL’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Meralco Manila salvaged a third place finish in the Philippines Football League after a 3-1 victory over Kaya Makati at the Rizal Memorial Track and Football Stadium.
Curt Jordan Dizon fired two goals while Joaquin Canas added another one on Friday night for Meralco, which suffered a stunning loss to Global Cebu in the semifinals.
Meralco was aggressive early in the bronze medal game, with Canas converting a header from a pass by Simon Greatwich in the third minute. The lead doubled minutes later on a hit by Dizon from the left flank.
Just before halftime break, Meralco managed to raise the lead further 3-0 as Dizon placed an inch-perfect left-foot free kick into the far top corner past the defense of Kaya’s Ref Cuaresma.
Meralco continued to test the defense of Kaya Makati in the second half but attempts from Tahj Minniecon and Connor Tacagni were defended well. Kaya later trimmed the deficit 1-3 courtesy of a close-range shot by Ilonggo Jovin Bedic.
Both teams turned physical just a few minutes near the end. Greatwich was held down by a Kaya player while Meralco’s Nathaniel Villanueva fell minutes later after getting shoved by the opponent.
“It was a total team effort. We were able to sustain a high tempo in the first 30 minutes,” said Meralco head coach Aris Caslib. “We will bounce back in the next PFL season.”
For Kaya, the match served as a farewell game for former Philippine Azkals star Alexander “Aly” Borromeo, who earlier hinted of a possible retirement at the end of this PFL season./PN
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