From Glen Ramos' Facebook profile (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
Meleke Stepahne saved Cebuano club Erco from ending up at the wrong end of a huge upset by North Cotabato club M'lang as he struck the equalizer to force a 2-2 draw in their PFF-Smart Club Championship battle at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila City.
Stepahne broke free after a loose ball scramble and drilled in the match-saving goal just before stoppage time to stun M'lang, which was set to pull off the upset in this showdown between the two non-UFL squads in the Elite 8.
Eric Jasangas scored a high-looping goal against Garry Garciano, who opted to chase Jasangas at the 66th minute to put the all-Filipino M'lang up, 2-1, against the Erco side which composed of five African college students.
But Stepahne broke the hearts of the Mindanao side after grabbing the loose ball after a chase and found himself all alone against Jestoni Celeste for the equalizer.
Stephen Lavega struck first for M'lang at the 16th minute, while Diomar Caruscay tied the match on a free kick six minutes later.
Both squads split the point, although Erco remained in third place on goal difference.
Erco, however, will face Global, which smashed M'lang, 10-0, on Tuesday.
M'lang, on the other hand, will take on Stallion also on Tuesday.