Teknika draws San Beda; Pachanga, Stallions up

MANILA—Ten-man Teknika forged a 2-2 draw with Rizal-Smart San Beda in another highly physical duel Saturday to advance to the semifinals of the PFF-Smart Club Championships at the Don Gregorio Pelaez Memorial Stadium in Cagayan de Oro.

Misagh Bahadoran and Aaron Altiche put Teknika ahead twice, but San Beda, which was already assured of a semifinal spot before the game, was up to the task with goals from Phil Younghusband and Jeremias Jao.

Over in Iloilo City, Pachanga FC and Stallions moved into the semifinals with victories on the last day of the group stage.

Pachanga, starring Alex Obiang and OJ Clarino, overwhelmed Baguio FC, 5-1, while Stallions shut out Columbia FC of Davao, 3-0, to finish 1-2 in their group.

Pachanga, Stallions and Columbia wound up with six points each but the NCR team and the hosts progressed because of a better goal difference.

San Beda faces Stallions in the first semifinal, while Pachanga takes on Teknika in the knockout semifinal on Tuesday at the University of Makati.

Bahadoran, the Fil-Iranian striker who has played twice for the national team, broke the ice in the 17th minute, tapping in the rebound after San Beda keeper Ref Cuaresma fumbled Izo El-Habbib’s free kick.

Younghusband, the country’s leading international scorer, equalized from the penalty spot in the 37th minute to put the two squads level at the break.

Teknika grabbed the lead again in the 50th minute thanks to Altiche, who banged in the goal from close range.

Jao, who came in as a second-half substitute, made it 2-2 seven minutes from time to keep San Beda unbeaten.