SMART-PFF Nationals semis: Archers need to rediscover sting, Ceres looks to surprise anew
A few weeks ago the players of Green Archers United Globe found themselves frolicking on the shores of Dakak beach Zamboanga Del Norte. The beach trip was a reward for their shellacking of Romgarjal in the Round of 16.
While wading in the shallow waters left winger Tating Pasilan cupped a jellyfish in his hands and chucked it at the chest of new signing Chieffy Caligdong.
The startled Caligdong brushed it aside while Pasilan laughed hysterically. The jellyfish stuck on the Azkal's chest long enough to create a large red rash that fortunately dissipated after about ten minutes.
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The Archers need to find an offensive sting that's even more menacing, and train it against rivals Pasargad in their SMART PFF National Club Championship semis in Rizal Memorial.
Last Sunday an eleventh-hour strike from Caligdong saved their blushes in an extra time quarterfinal 1-0 win versus Pachanga Diliman.
For that game the Archers put Pasilan on the left wing, Jovanie “Manok” Simpron on the right, and Chieffy alongside Arnie “Dads” Pasinabo up top.
Simpron struggled with his touch on his passes all game long, while Pasilan was limited to just one shot at goal that he could recall.
The Archers will need to penetrate the defense of Pasargad that is boosted by new signing Francis Sumidivilla and Mark Anthony Fernandez.
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At the same time the Archers back four of Ronnie Aguisanda, Lawrence Obinna, Jake Hugo and Dodong Villareal will have their hands full. One target: marauding right back/right winger Angelo Verheye Marasigan. The Filipino raised in Belgium broke the hearts of General Trias International in the quarters when he scored his own extra time winner, a 30 meter bomb that was the only score of the game.
Ayi Nii Aryee will be playing the holding or defensive midfield position. Caligdong felt he drifted too high up the park in the quarterfinals and that he has been hold to stay home a bit more on Saturday.
One good break for United: they are slated to play on the second game on Saturday. That means that coach Rodolfo Alicante can be on the sidelines.
Alicante, a devout Seventh-Day Adventist, is not permitted by his faith to do any secular work on the Adventist Sabbath, which lasts from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. Since their game kicks off at 6:30 pm, the sun will be down and he can once again work.
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According to Archers Techincal Director Hans Smit, Alicante will not be present for pre-game workouts.
The other semifinal is also a treat: Kaya against Ceres.
Kaya has staggered into the semis with a makeshift defense missing Aly Borromeo and Anton Del Rosario who are both hurt. Coach Maor Rozen pressed attacking mid Dario Dakic into service at centerback and he performed well as Kaya eliminated Meralco 1-0.
“We are rebuilding a new team from the beginning” said the Uruguayan coach.
That defense must take care of Englishman Peter Long, who scored in the Bacolodnon's 1-0 shock over Global last week.
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Ceres coach Nene Lazarito says that Long and fellow Englishmen Danny Claxton, were brought over for this tournament and would have gone home had the team lost last week.
Claxton is a defender while Long is a striker, although at first Lazarito was skeptical.
“Noong una kong nakita si Long parang di siya striker. Pag-kuha niya ng bola sa taas magbaback pass sa likod. Di siya tunay na striker tulad ni Rufo ng Stallion”
Fortunately Long proved himself against Global, accepting a gorgeous flicked back pass from Jayson Panhay and coolly beating Global goalie Roland Dely Sadia with his left foot. Watch the strike here.
Captaining Ceres is former Azkal Jason Cordova, who leads the defense from right wing.
Lazarito says the 26-year old Santa Barbaranhun has curbed his tendency to play rough “Ilonggo-style” Football (Coach Nene's term, not mine) and has shown a great attitude in training.
Josh Beloya stayed with Ceres instead of going with the Philippine Dolphins Beach Soccer team for World Cup Qualifying in Doha. Although he plays at holding midfielder, his playmaking and control skills could be a headache for his former team.
Another Ceres midfielder, Rolando Treyes, is set to return to the field after getting hurt in the quarterfinal.
A key matchup on the other side of the field will be mercurial Kaya attacker Ohjay Porteria versus Ceres goalie Hyeon Jae Hun. The teen from Falls Church, VA scored the winner against Meralco with a sublime touch and composed finish against Ref Cuaresma.
Hyeon was magnificent last weekend with some terrific stops against UFL League champs Global.
Ceres is sponsored by a bus company. Fittingly, they seemed to park the bus when they went ahead against Global with a compact 4-5-1 formation. Will they do the same with Kaya? Or will the ride their luck all the way to the finals, where a P100,000 prize awaits the winner?
Kickoff for the Kaya-Ceres games is 4 pm on Saturday while the Green Archers United Globe-Pasargad, barring extra time in the first game, commences at 6:30 pm. Admission is free.
There will be a delayed telecast on AKTV, with the first game airing at 7 pm and the second game being shown at 9 pm.
Follow Bob on Twitter @bhobg333.
