| Bacolod City, Philippines | Monday, December 3, 2007 |
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Men's Open rivalry
BY CEDELF TUPAS
| Game Today It wasn't even kick off time. But the battle off-the-field has already picked up, intensifying the rivalry once more. And from the looks of it, the challengers may have scored a decisive point over the defending champions, barely 24 hours before their duel. Reigning titlist University of St. La Salle's last-minute appeal to re-schedule their best-of-three showdown for the NOFA Provincial Men's Open crown with West Negros College was thumbed down by tournament officials last night. NOFA coordinator Pauline Javelona said the tournament will follow the schedule of Dec. 3, 5 and 7 that was initially agreed by both camps during the managers' meeting Friday. La Salle coach Ramon Janeo said they sought for a postponement to Dec. 4, 6 and 8 because some of their reinforcements coming from the Air Force were unsure if they will be released by their superiors in time for the games. But West Negros College coach Norman Fegidero protested the proposed change in schedule, saying it was already agreed upon by both teams and that some of their players were only available until Dec. 7. “It would be unfair for us if they moved the schedule,” said Fegidero, whose squad will be led by 2007 Men's Open Most Valuable Player and national team standout Emelio “Chippy” Caligdong. The La Sallians had wanted to tap the services of veterans Yanti Bersales, Joebel Bermejo, Alejandro Montelibano and Tonog brothers, Jezurel and Ziggy. But only the Tonog brothers, who also saw action for La Salle last year, were allowed to play for USLS again, Janeo told the DAILY STAR. Janeo said they are also waiting for confirmation from two players, who played for Baguio FC in this year's Men's Open including Izeldin Elhabib. WNC – the provincial champion two years ago – has been aching to get the title back from La Salle , which pulled off a pulsating penalty shootout victory over the Wesnecans in the finals last year, at the Panaad pitch. La Salle's Jimmy Doña, a reinforcement from Manila , struck the equalizer – a sublime volley from the edge of the area – with barely a minute left to forge a 3-3 tie at the end of extra time. Doña won't be back for the defending champions this year, although other reinforcements like Ruben Doctora and Aly Borromeo have returned and are expected to suit up for Game 1 at 3 p.m. today at the Bago City pitch. They join the core of the La Salle team, including Arnie Pasinabo, Carlos Bolo, Miguel Gonzales, William Valencia, Jhapeth Ignalaga and Floriano Pasilan, last year's Provincial Open Most Valuable Player. Aside from Caligdong, WNC has a formidable squad composed of former Wesnecan varsity standouts Joshua Fegidero, Philip Caballero, Zaldy Marañon, Richard Cañedo and Joel Ballo-Allo. The current WNC varsity players in the team are keeper Irl Tomodos, Lemuel Unabia, Jaylor Soriano, Ryan Lerio and Robert Cañedo. Apart from Caligdong, the other WNC reinforcements are comebacking Ruel Gener, Kim Relusio, Raymund Juarez and Bong Aller, Selu Lozano of Kaya FC, Bacoleño Edmundo Mercado of the Air Force, Southeast Asian Games veteran Peter Jaugan and AFC Challenge Cup scorer Alvin Valeroso, who also played in the ASEAN Football Championships in Bangkok early this year. Asked if he considered his team the underdog in the series, Janeo said: “We are, always (the underdog)”. Fegidero said his team is committed to win the title this year.*CPT
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