Iloilo puts Negros XI Suzuki Cup leg victory under protest

BACOLOD CITY—In another twist to the country’s most intense footballing rivalry, Iloilo yesterday put Negros Occidental’s 3-1 triumph in the first leg of the PFF Suzuki Under-23 National Cup finals under protest, saying extra time should not have been played in the game.

And the protest, if upheld, could dramatically turn around the final, considering Negros scored two of its goals in extra time, sealing the victory at the wet Central Philippines University field in Iloilo City.

Iloilo ended the game with nine men as goalkeeper Wilson Muñoz and defender Bayquin were sent off in extra time, making it another significant point of discussion for tournament officials and the Philippine Football Federation competitions committee deliberating on the case as of press time.

A red card merits an automatic one-game suspension and if the first leg result stands, Muñoz and Bayquin will miss the second leg of the final at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Panaad Stadium here.

The Iloilo Football Association cited the tournament rule that extra time should only be applied in the second leg when the two teams are still tied on aggregate score and away goals.

Iloilo coach Marjo Allado said there might have been a misinterpretation of the rule.

Asked if he would do the same if Iloilo won the match, Allado said: “Negros might do the same (file a protest against us).”

Iloilo has actually been the subject of two protests in the tournament after adding two players not in its initial 18-man squad in the group stage in Laguna and adding another player in its 2-1 semifinal win against National Capital Region-B last Sunday.

No forfeiture was ordered in the matches that Iloilo won in the earlier rounds, although the players in question were declared ineligible for the final.