EUPHORIA was the prevailing feeling, but Juani Guirado surely felt relief as well after Ceres-La Salle survived Global FC, 2-1, to annex the Football Alliance League Cup of the United Football League on Thursday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
That’s because the Ceres skipper nearly cost the Bacolod-based side its second silverware in the league after he was ejected with still plenty of time left in the second half.
Guirado was sent off in the 74th minute when the Filipino-Spanish center-back picked up his second yellow card for getting involved in an altercation with Global counterpart German Rodriguez.
[See New boy Ceres quick to make mark by sinking Global for League Cup title]
Guirado explained he was just protecting his teammates in a commotion that was ignited by a mid-air collision between Global goalkeeper Patrick Deyto and a Ceres defender.
“In the pitch, sometimes you get too excited and you try to defend all your mates and yourself,” he said. “So it was just a reaction in the game.”
Ceres saw Global threaten with a handful of clear-cut chances late in the finale, but fortunately held on.
Still, Guirado apologized to his team after the match.
“I’m sorry. What’s important is we won.”
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