Determined Cebu Claws Back From Behind Mendiola

The cool air at the PFF National Training Center joins us as we witness newcomers Dynamic Herb Cebu Football Club up against Mendiola FC 1991. The 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara is still an open race to all teams, especially the two teams competing in this match.

The Cebuanos have eased their way into a good place as beneficiaries of the recent ADT absence, but their first game made them seem a team to look out for.

But we can be sure that Mendiola won't bow down to them that easily as the competition is still open to all participants at this stage and they might be close to a breakthrough after the last two games.

The first few minutes have been end-to-end stuff between the two teams as both Mendiola and Cebu pounce on a few close chances, but none has forced both keepers to work just yet.

But of the two, it was Cebu that seemed to have the slight edge playing good balls into Mendiola's defense. By the 10th minute, Cebu has pressed their opponents harder.

In the 14th minute, a foul was committed outside the box, but the resulting freekick from halfway was too high.

A Mendiola player found himself in space at the edge of the box but took the shot too early. It was off target.

Arda Cinkir left his marker in the dust with a skillful touch from inside the box in the 18th minute, but someone got a foot in the way making it easy for Asong to catch it.

Aaron Altiche delivered a good pass into Cebu's box and almost ended in the net but Ace Villanueva denied it, conceding a corner instead. But it was all under control as the keeper was the favorite to the cross that came.

The turnover almost made Mendiola pay with Cinkir on target. But it was offside despite the effort being saved in the 22nd minute.

Cebu found themselves back in Mendiola's third with Corsame forcing another save from Asong as the goal-minder is starting to feel the shots piling.

A series of plays in the 27th minute keep the game in the balance as both sides quickly put the ball in great areas, leading to turnovers that let the opposition do the same.

A yellow card wAS BRANDISHED against Mendiola's Franco Dela Torre with a hard knock from the back against a Cebu player in the 29th minute. It was in a very good area to deliver a cross into the box. Cebu wasn't able to capitalize.

Cebu continues their spirited offense with a header on target from Mendiola, but Asong was up to the task. And he was challenged a few more times in the minutes that followed keeping the goal all square by the 35th minute.

A freekick around 25 yards was given to Cebu as Dela Torre fouled another Cebut player in the 36th minute. Nathan Alquiros to deliver the ball. Mike Asong was still first to the action.

Junior Sam forced a corner kick in the 39th minute, Hamed Hajimadhi to deliver. But Mendiola wasn't able to direct the ball goalwards.

A penalty was awarded in the 40th minute after a goalmouth scramble led to a Cebu foul as a missed slide tackle was thrown. Hamed, not being wasteful, puts the penalty in as Villanueva remained planted. We now play 0-1 to Mendiola in the 41st minute.

Hajimahdi had the chance to double up just a couple of minutes later after Junior Sam skillfully kept the ball in play. But the contact with the ball was poor, sending it skywards from inside the box.

The first half ends with all to play for in the second half!

A Mendiola counterattack opens the second half as a long ball from the back finds Sam who then found Men#88 in space. The shot fully stretched Villanueva but it was enough to put it out for a corner. The resulting corner ended with a shot from the goal-scorer, Hajimadhi, but it was off target.

A quick attack on the other end in the 49th minute led to heads clashing between Cinkir and Alassane Wade, with the former coming out worse. He had to be looked at by medical personnel but was allowed to play after several minutes of treatment. Cebu had to play with 10 men.

Another clash by the 52nd minute by the half-line between Saldivar and another Mendiola player, forcing Cebu to play undermanned even more temporarily.

Mendiola was calling to have the ball played out after a defender was down in the box, but that didn't stop Cebu from keeping the play up, leading to a cross that Turkish loanee, Arda Cinkir, headed into the goal. Cebu equalizes in the 58th minute.

This ups the tempo of both teams as a winner is still in search.

Ashley Flores got a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 62nd minute after skipping Ace Villanueva, but the open goal remained untouched as the attempt was wide.

Mendiola with another chance in the 65th minute with Sam breaking free at the side of the box, but the low cross didn't lead to much with Cebu crowding their box.

Mendiola had to fend off a corner in the 70th minute as the resulting scramble had Chimo Uzoka put in a shot that went beyond everyone, including the goal.

Cinkir once again found his way on the scoreboard in the 73rd minute after Cebu found space in the wings that led to a well-taken cross, leading to a well-taken goal. Cebu back from behind, 2-1.

It's the 82nd minute and Mendiola was awarded a freekick from a good spot. The cross was punched out by Ace Villanueva who looked determined to keep the three points.

Intense moments in the dying minutes as Mendiola piles up the pressure against Cebu, encroaching at their defenses time and again, but not making it count. But Mendiola's presence up top meant lesser players back to defend. And Nathan Alquiros made the most of this in stoppage time striking from outside the box, nicking a screamer late in the game.

Undoubtedly, this puts Cebu firmly in the lead up until full time.

Cebu confirms their presence amongst the big teams with their victory against Mendiola, 3 goals to nil!