Patalinghug makes history as Cebu FC takes top spot
Coming off the bench in the 68th minute, Steven Patalinghug made history two minutes later by scoring the equalizer and allowing the Cebu Football Club (Cebu FC) Gentle Giants to take the top spot in the Copa Paulino Alcantara 2022 with one match left in the elimination stage.
Patalinghug, the 2019 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Most Valuable Player, nailed a goal on his first touch in the 70th minute to help the Gentle Giants draw their match against United City FC, 1-1, late Sunday afternoon at the PFF Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Not only was Patalinghug aptly named as the Man of the Match, he also made history as the first Cebuano homegrown player to have scored a goal for the Cebu FC.
Coach Mehmet Kakil brought Patalinghug in the 68th minute to replace Roberto “Papu” Corsame Jr.
“I want to make sure everyone is ready. I want to give all players the benefit, 11 or sub. I am trying best to prepare them for whatever situation, this way I can apply different gameplans. It is also good for me too, for the team and for the players that the subs entering the field are scoring. Generally, Philippine football has a lot of speedy players and we want to use that talent, their speed, because as the teams are getting tired, once we put fresh legs, that brings good results,” said head coach Mehmet Kakil of subs scoring and sealing the games for the Gentle Giants.
Before Patalinghug, Jeremiah “JB” Borlongan also came off the bench and scored the winning goal against Maharlika Manila FC.
“Actually at first I was nervous because UCFC came from the Asian Cup. I wasn’t expecting to score coming off the bench. I was just keen on doing my job and giving it all I have,” said Patalinghug, who played for the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors in his collegiate days.
Former Gentle Giant Ricki Sendra had put United City FC ahead with his early goal, just six minutes into the match.
The draw gave the Gentle Giants 13 points on the same win-loss record of 4-1 with erstwhile leader Kaya, whom they will face in their last elimination match on May 12.
The Gentle Giants took the top spot by virtue of goal difference.
Coach Kakil said it was a good game but they could have won it.
“Team City United was the most experienced team we’ve gone up against so
far, more experienced and more settled team, that’s why we really prepared for this game. We explained to the players the game plan in preparation for this game. I think it was a good game,
but after watching the game, we should have been won.”
According to the Turkish coach, converting chances is still something that they have to work on.
“We started working
together as a team last 45 days, and that is one area that we have to continue to work on. Of course creating chances is good but we want to convert them to more goals.”