Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2) – Dynamic Herb Cebu FC remains unscathed after three games in Copa Paulino Alcantara 2022 courtesy of a second half resurgence to beat Mendiola FC 1991, 3-1, on Monday at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
The Cebu-based squad has nine points due to its flawless record and now holds second spot in the league standings. The team beat Stallion Laguna last week and was awarded with a default 3-0 win over the Southeast Asian Games-bound Azkals Development Team.
On the other hand, Mendiola was already eliminated from semifinals contention, with only two draws and four losses for a total of two points.
The three goals of Dynamic Herb Cebu were all scored by their key Turkish players in the second half — the first two by Arda Cinkir and the last by Mert Altinoz.
In the first half, Mendiola got a lucky break in the 42nd minute, after both squads displayed their methodical plays since the opening whistle.
A handball by Cebu defender John Saldivar after tackling the cross of Ghanian striker Stephen Appiah awarded a penalty for Mendiola, which was easily sank by Hamed Hajimahdi, as the squad sported a 1-0 halftime advantage.
In the first two minutes of the second half, Appiah almost doubled Mendiola’s lead but his long volley outside the box was deflected by Cebu goalkeeper Ace Villanueva.
Dynamic Herb Cebu notched their golden opportunity in the 58th minute when Cinkir, whose head was bandaged after taking a hit from a Mendiola defender a few minutes before, received the left flank cross from Saldivar and scored the game-tying header goal.
Renato Corsame, Jr. got a chance to give the lead for Cebu in the 60th minute, but Mendiola goalkeeper Michael Asong was alert in denying the ball inside the goal box.
Cinkir made the pivotal second strike for Cebu in the 73rd minute after benefiting from a left cross by JB Borlongan, while Altinoz nailed the dagger goal in stoppage time as he slipped past Mendiola defenders to secure the victory.
“We were losing in the first half, but we always have the winning mentality,” Cinkir said after the game.
Cebu will be back on the pitch on Thursday against Maharlika Manila.
