It took eleven years for both the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force to meet in an Armed Forces derby in the Filipino top flight, but it was the men from Villamor who took the bragging rights after a 2-0 victory over their rivals at the Rizal Memorial Sunday afternoon.
The Airmen, led by Staff Sergeant Erwin Oro, were the cooler of the two sides in a hotly contested derby in Adriatico. They found the net in both halves to secure not just the three points, but ultimately the pride of being the best AFP side this season, defeating their brothers from Fort Bonifacio.
With the Ilonggo connection running deep in this fixture, held after an eleven-year hiatus, the signs pointed to a typical Armed Forces derby: rugged and gritty, with a touch of roughhousing throughout.
However, it was the counter-attacking flair of the Airmen that got them ahead two minutes before halftime. The Central Philippine University connection saw new signing Kenneth Lecoto on the scoresheet on his debut.
Lecoto converted a tap-in past former Air Force stopper John Kent Delariarte, with his cousin Jed providing the vital pass in the six-yard box after Jan Bernard initiated the counter by beating Army’s Resty Monterona on a 50/50 ball, after PAF stifled numerous crosses by the Troopers earlier on.
Chances were few and far between after the restart, with their defense holding firm as both Army and Air Force tried to impose their will on the match.
But it was all pointing up for the Airmen as Jed got the better of his cousin, firing in a right-footed curler in the 68th minute to take not just maximum points, but also jump two places to 12th and force a three-way tie with Tuloy and Don Bosco Garelli with nine points apiece.
Army’s day went from bad to worse, as they were forced to spend the last three minutes of the second-half stoppage time with ten men after winger John Celiz was sent off by referee Raymart Delos Santos for a horrible challenge.
The diminutive veteran lunged at Jan Bernard twice while fighting for the ball, the second of which caught the left ankle of the latter, leaving the match official with no other recourse but to send Celiz off in disgrace.
Philippine Air Force: Abraham (GK), Jan Delariarte, Bronda (Ferrer 83’), Obero (Guevarra 90+4’), Belgira, Jed Delariarte, Lecoto, Hugo (Ballo-Allo 90+1’), Salenga (Cadiz 46’), Busmion, Martinez © (Bermejo 90+1’)
Philippine Army: John Delariarte (GK), Soriano, Becite ©, Solen, Dorimon, Gatinao, Monterona (Villaseñor 88’), Celiz, Sumaylo (Ariola 46’), Bedia (Acedo 90+2’), Decena (Benitez 90+2’)
