The efforts of the 37-year-old Mercado were the biggest difference for the Philippine Air Force Phoenix FC as it defeated the star-studded Loyola Meralco Sparks, 2-0, Saturday in the UFL Cup finals at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Once upon a time, Mercado was the best goalkeeper in the country playing for the national team from 1995 to 2008.
But Mercado’s time came to pass when Neil Etheridge became the Azkals’ goalkeeper in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers.
“Sa amin, gusto kong patunyan na kaya namin kahit homegrown kaming lahat. Sa amin naman, gusto namin patunayan na ang Philippine Air Force ang number one sa buong Pilipinas,” said Mercado, a 15-year-campaigner for the Air Force, after the match.
They proved that the Airmen can still do it despite the entry of several Fil-foreign players particularly Azkals’ Phil and James Younghusband and the Hartmann’s in the Loyola Meralco Sparks line-up.
“Wala kaming kinakatakutan, maski Fil-foreign kayo o hindi basta kami totoong Pinoy kami,” said Mercado.
Air Force head coach Edzel Bracamonte also expressed the same sentiment.
“Before palang nagstart ang Cup at nakita ko ‘yung mga line-up, sinabi ko sa mga players na we are champions we have to train and play like champions kahit anong laki nila at anong lakas ng ibang teams,” said Bracamonte.
Mercado didn’t back down against even after the Sparks became more aggressive offensively in the second half.
“Based on experience lang ako. Sa isip ko, kung gusto niyong maka-goal, i-shoot mo sa akin at i-te-take ko lahat ng sipa at isasave ko nalang,” Mercado said.
Bracamonte felt relieved about the UFL Cup of the Air Force, its second title in the three years.
“Hindi lang tinik ang nabunot, bato pa. Thank you to Meralco for giving the fans a very good game,” Bracamonte said.
source | Reuben Terrado, InterAKTV
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