INNODATA suffered its first loss in the 15th Aboitiz Football Cup and unfortunately it was during the most important match of the tournament—the finals.
A few cards were called on Erich Rafael Construction (Erco) FC squad but it overcame this and defeated Innodata, 2-1, in extra period, to win the inter-company division title yesterday.
Innodata had actually started off strong behind the goal from Adrian Mejaren in the 14th minute.
Erco FC’s Marvin Gojoco then sank the equalizer in the 26th minute from Roy Melgo's assist.
In the 36th minute, Erco was reduced to an eight-man lineup after Benjie Agulo was booked for a red card after his reaction to a call got the referees’ attention.
It sparked a slight commotion in the game but Cebu Football Association Tournament Head Glen Quisido took charge of the situation before things got out of hand and reminded the boys to just play.
Melgo and Philip Denuyo were also booked for yellow cards in the 18th and 27th minutes, respectively.
With both teams failing to score again in regulation, the match was extended for another 10 minutes, where Erco's Rene Inoc converted a penalty shot in the 46th minute, after Innodata defender Andre Lopez was called for a handball in the penalty area.
With Erco on top, 2-1, it pressed on its defense to protect its lead, while Innodata's offense crumbled in the last five minutes of the game.
"Nindot kay naka champion na gyud mi karong tuiga. Sauna kay dili gyud mi maka-join kay dili man mi makumpleto sa team," said Erco FC Manager Rodney Orale.
Meanwhile, Innodata's Darwin Bordalba was disappointed with the referee’s call on the handball, which cost them the game and the title.
"Disappointed kaayo ko sa referee kay grabe mu-call ug penalty na dili man to handball. Nindot na ra ba unta ang dula," said Bordalba.
He also alleged that his player, JP Ejercito, who fell to the ground, was punched in one of the collisions. However, Orale denied any punching incident as what happened was only a result of the player who was aiming for the ball but accidentally struck Ejercito's knee.
Meanwhile, in the ongoing matches of the Men’s Open division, Atletico Cebu demolished DB Razkals, 21-0, while Erco FC scored an easy win via default over Indiana.
In the under-23, the University of San Jose-Recoletos blanked the University of Visayas, 3-0, while the match between the University of Cebu and Philippine State College of Aeronautics resulted in a 1-1 draw.
It was also a 1-1 draw between Queen City United and San Roque Football Club in the 38-above category, but Erco team banked its third win of the day against Balliant Hawk, 4-0.
The University of San Carlos dropped its game against Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, 2-0, while DB Bosco crushed DB Razkals, 17-0, in the Boys 17.