BAGO CITY – A cloud of anxiety lingers over the University of St. La Salle and West Negros College after they fought to a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time yesterday in Game 2 of their best-of-three series for the NOFA Provincial Men's Open football crown.

Tournament officials decided to call off the match after 120 minutes of play due to darkness and scheduled the penalty shootout to 9 a.m. today also at the Bago City pitch.

La Salle won game 1, 2-0, Monday and could wrap up its third straight crown with a victory in the shootout.

Joshua Fegidero finished off a spectacular flowing move with a left-footed effort from close-range to shove the Wesnecans ahead a minute into extra time.

The former RP Team striker, though, was the culprit five minutes later when referee Arnel Sagansay adjudged him to have handled the ball inside the box while defending Aly Borromeo during a corner kick.

Foiled from the penalty spot in the first half, Borromeo, one of La Salle 's four reinforcements from Kaya FC, sent Edmundo Mercado the wrong way with his spot kick this time to equalize with 23 minutes left.

The result seemed a little harsh for WNC, which enjoyed numerical manpower advantage after Badrelin El-Habbib was sent off in the 84 th only to be reduced to 10 men themselves when Philip Caballero was carried off the pitch due to an ankle injury 10 minutes into extra time and did not return.

At that time, WNC coach Norman Fegidero had used up all six substitutions, blowing away the Wesnecans' advantage.

After a lethargic performance in the 0-2 loss in Game 1, Fegidero injected a major change to his starting 11, putting tall defender Lemuel Unabia, Alvin Valeroso, Richard Cañedo and Zaldy Marañon and moving Peter Jaugan from right wing to central midfield.

The result was a more adventurous and creative WNC side that also managed to hold its own against La Salle at midfield.

But slack defending almost left the Wesnecans undone in the 22 nd minute when Unabia was slapped with a handball infraction inside the box only for Borromeo to have his penalty thwarted by Mercado.

La Salle was handed another chance the in the 25 th minute when Ruben Doctora headed the ball into the path of an unmarked Arnie Pasinabo. But the 2005 SEA Games veteran sent his dipping volley over the bar.

Just like in the series opener, West Negros opened the second half with pace and energy. Still, they were limited to a series of half-chances, the best of which coming from Robert Cañedo, whose right-footed drive from outside the box was easily dealt with by Michael Casas.

La Salle made one change from its Game 1 roster --- the suspended Ziggy Tonog making way for Miguel Gonzales, who, at right back, stood firm against Emelio Caligdong.

With Arnie Pasinabo and Floriano Pasilan gaining the edge from the flanks, La Salle threatened and, if not for a fine defensive effort from Unabia, would have taken the lead in the 65 th minute but Izzeldin El-Habbib his left-footed strike from close-range was kept out by Mercado.

West Negros survived another onslaught in 72 nd minute with Marañon blocking another good effort from Pasilan. A minute later, Mercado, thwarted another shot from El-Habbib, who broke free after a through ball from Pasinabo.

Cracks in the La Salle defense also started to open up from there and substitute Raymund Juarez nearly punished them with a strong header that fell straight to Casas.

As extra-time loomed, Badrelin El-Habbib was sent off for a second bookable offense --- a clumsy challenge on Fegidero.

It didn't take long for WNC to capitalize on its advantage.

Seconds into extra-time, Carlo Tacusalme, an unused WNC substitute in Game 1, touched off a series of short passes and raided the right flank after an intelligent lob from Peter Jaugan.

Tacusalme drew Casas out of his area, before rolling the ball kindly to Fegidero who fired into an empty net.

Both coaches, Norman Fegidero and Freddie Lazarito of La Salle are keeping their cards close to their chest for today's shootout.

A La Salle defeat in the shootout will force a Game 3 at the Panaad pitch on Friday, a scenario which doesn't sit well with Lazarito.

“We can't afford to lose the shootout,” said Lazarito, who will miss Sudanese imports Badrelin and Izzeldin El-Habbib due to suspension in the event of a Game 3. Izzeldin was meted a yellow card yesterday, his second in as many games.*CPT

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