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| At least for one match, Stallion Laguna overachieved. Jan Dayrit/PFL |
BIÑAN—Stallion Laguna's PFL season so far is not really as per the expectations of many.
While an expected Top 3 finish for the club is close to happening, it came at the expense of unexpected results.
While the Biñan-based side made a statement on opening night when it forced Ceres Negros to a 2-2 draw, the club also had two goalless draws against Mendiola and one against Green Archers United, three games that many thought should have gone Stallion Laguna's way.
Add to that a 5-0 rout by Ceres Negros in their second round meeting, which was uncharacteristic of how their first meeting went.
That is why Coach Ernie Nierras believes Stallion Laguna's 1-1 draw against Ceres Negros at the Binan Football Stadium on Saturday night is more than just a deadlock for him.
"We consider this a win," Nierras said after the match. "They've earned the point that they tried to gain. I don't think Ceres will contest this game should have been ours."
Stallion Laguna actually had a chance to literally take the win when Abou Sy, who scored the equalizer quickly after Robert Mendy opened the account, found himself with only Roland Muller to beat in the second half, but Muller saved Sy's shot to eventually keep the game tied until the end.
Despite that, Nierras lauded his men for showing heart against Ceres Negros even if this is now essentially a no-bearing game for them as far as the championship race is concerned.
"This team has a lot of character. They turns failures and adversities into wins," he continued. "This team, for whatever reason, it's in their character to go through struggles and rise above the struggles."
Barring the results of Ceres Negros' remaining games, including one last meeting against Kaya Iloilo, Stallion Laguna is so far the only side that forced Ceres Negros to drop points, keeping the defending champion from a perfect season although the club remains undefeated.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
"We consider this a win," Nierras said after the match. "They've earned the point that they tried to gain. I don't think Ceres will contest this game should have been ours."
Stallion Laguna actually had a chance to literally take the win when Abou Sy, who scored the equalizer quickly after Robert Mendy opened the account, found himself with only Roland Muller to beat in the second half, but Muller saved Sy's shot to eventually keep the game tied until the end.
Despite that, Nierras lauded his men for showing heart against Ceres Negros even if this is now essentially a no-bearing game for them as far as the championship race is concerned.
"This team has a lot of character. They turns failures and adversities into wins," he continued. "This team, for whatever reason, it's in their character to go through struggles and rise above the struggles."
Barring the results of Ceres Negros' remaining games, including one last meeting against Kaya Iloilo, Stallion Laguna is so far the only side that forced Ceres Negros to drop points, keeping the defending champion from a perfect season although the club remains undefeated.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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