INQUIRER Sports

FORMER NATIONAL TEAM striker Norman Fegidero struck twice in the first half to power Bacolod United to a 3-2 nipping of Malay Mail of Malaysia, 3-2, in the finals of the RP-Malaysia Veterans Football Championship at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.

Fegidero, whose most memorable stint for the national team came in the 1-0 upset of then-defending champion Malaysia in the 1991 SEA Games, scored in the 23rd and 27th minutes after the Malaysians broke the ice through Supramanian in the ninth minute.

The Malaysians equalized nine minutes from the break thanks to Moud Faridzal Kazim.

Greg Gustilo found the back of the net in the 50th minute, his effort just inside the box turning out to be the game-winning goal in the tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation.

“We need some icons so that our young players will strive harder and will be inspired,” said PFF president Mari Martinez.

The PFF has been hounded by a run of poor results in international tournaments with the RP boys and girls Under-16 squads losing by huge margins in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Asean tournaments, respectively.

Real Negrense FC prevailed over ERCP Cebu FC for third place in the event organized by Bacolod United FC and RNFC.

Completing the Bacolod United squad are Reymando Baldava, Denis de Asis, Simon Hulleza, Arnel Sagansay, Nicolas Kalalang, Rommel Kalalang, Nestor dela Cruz, Jonathan Esmolo, Ronnie Tornilla, Alfredo Dioso, Leo Arnaiz, Benjamin Vedra, Lorenzo Litonjua, Enrique Misa, Reynaldo Dofitas, Broderick Segovia, Edwin Borromeo, Enrique Barcelona and Manuel Dabao.