2024 PFL Week 4 Preview: Some Sanity Maybe?

We are 3 weeks into the PFL season and with April’s heatwave hopefully leading to a May goal-shower, week 4 promises to be another cracking set of games. Before the page turns, let’s take a look at this weekend’s 7-pack and make some “predictions” on what happens.

(Note: all predictions are caveated with the immortal phrase “bilog ang bola”)

STALLION LAGUNA

Last time out: 13-0 win vs Manila Montet

This time out: vs Philippine Army on Sunday, 5:45 PM

Stallion’s blistering start to the season continued with them absolutely pasting the hapless Manila Montet to the tune of a baker’s dozen, and based on trends, another big win should be in the cards against the Army booters on Sunday afternoon. It would be foolish, however, to expect another double-digit win. Despite the Servicemen coming up short last time out against United City, their defensive compactness and organization will prove to be a challenge for coach Ernie Nierras to crack as the Pink and Black look to keep their momentum going into a more challenging May slate.

KAYA FC – ILOILO

Last time out: 10-1 win vs Maharlika Taguig

This time out: vs OneTaguig FC on Saturday, 5:45 PM

The defending league champions look to keep pace at the top here against a surprise-not-surprise package in OneTaguig on Saturday afternoon. The Mighty are only two goals off the top as of press-time, and look to close the margins just a little bit more while driving momentum towards their May opener vs fellow title challengers Cebu FC. They would be wise, however, to not look past OneTaguig; the spiritual successors to Ceres-Negros FC are keeping pace so far and might end up pulling one last bit of Panaad magic to derail Kaya’s season early on.

ONE TAGUIG FC

Last tine out: 5-0 win vs Philippine Army

This time out: vs Kaya FC (as mentioned earlier)

And now we go to the other half of the Saturday afternoon special. OneTaguig’s mix of hardened ex-Ceres Negros veterans and promising youngsters have thrown themselves into the thick of the title discussion early on; and while Kaya FC have a battle with Cebu FC raging, OneTaguig’s biggest opponent this weekend are their own selves. A win or a creditable result validates the experiment, while a loss will see whether the squad can come together and bounce back.

DYNAMIC HERB CEBU FC

Last time out: 7-1 win vs Tuloy FC

This time out: vs Maharlika Taguig FC on Saturday, 5:00 PM(in Cebu)

The Gentle Giants may only be playing their third game of the season this weekend, but this isn’t an invitation to discount their start of the season, as they’re averaging out to be on pace with the other top dogs. Possessing the most potent front 4 in the league and the dynamic Zamoranto Ho-A-Tham in midfield, they’ll be looking to gather momentum towards their titanic clash with Kaya next week.

UNITED CITY FC

Last time out: 4-1 win vs Philippine Air Force

This time out: BYE WEEK

Have a chill pill Citizens, you’re on bye this week. Watch the other games (and keep an eye on the Saturday opener) and have a good break.

DAVAO AGUILAS FC

Last time out: 1-0 win vs Manila Digger

This time out: vs Manila Montet on Sunday, 3PM

Davao Aguilas should have a field day on Sunday afternoon. Their RMS bow of the season after 2 cardiac matches at UMak should see them fatten up their goal difference on the hapless wooden spooners.

MANILA DIGGER FC/MENDIOLA FC

Last time out: 0-1 loss vs Davao Aguilas and 2-4 loss to Garelli United respectively

This time out: against each other on Saturday, 8:30 PM

I’m combining these clubs’ previews into one as they play each other with similar stories – both coming off losses that have dented their momentum and wanting to establish themselves firmly on top of the midtable. Digger’s close loss to Davao Aguilas will sting as they want to bounce back, while Mendiola are seemingly reeling after their opening-day thrashing of Air Force and eagerly searching for a tonic to their ills.

TULOY FC

Last time out: 1-7 loss to Cebu FC

This time out: vs Air Force on Sunday, 8:30 PM

While Tuloy may have been hammered last time out by Cebu FC, their game is drawing plaudits from fans around the land for being evocative of the famous Barcelona sides of yore. After an up-and-down April they look to enter May on a winning note against an Air Force side yet to net and having been battered early on.

MAHARLIKA TAGUIG FC

Last time out: 1-10 loss to Kaya FC

This time out: vs Cebu FC(refer to earlier)

What do you say when you have the week’s flyaway game a week after getting absolutely battered by the league champions? Credit to coach Lerche Njang for not backing off during the Kaya match, but Maharlika would do well to pick up any positives against a game Cebu side.

DON BOSCO GARELLI UNITED

Last time out: 4-2 win vs Mendiola

This time out: vs Loyola on Saturday, 3:00 PM

Credit to Garelli must be given for jumping on Mendiola last time out and gaining their first win; however, with the specter of their two early losses heavy in the air, will they be able to continue against Loyola in the Saturday matinee?

PHILIPPINE ARMY

Last time out: 0-5 loss to OneTaguig FC

This time out: vs Stallion Laguna(see earlier)

The Servicemen are looking to continue their early play this weekend – hopefully they are able to keep it up for more than 60 minutes this time out, or they risk running afoul of the Stallion stampede.

LOYOLA FC

Last time out: BYE

This time out: vs Garelli United(see above)

After a week off, let’s hope Loyola coach Roxy Dorlas has managed to shake off their early funk facing two of the 3 erstwhile title contenders and compete against a game Garelli side.

PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE

Last time out: 0-8 loss vs OneTaguig

This time out: vs Tuloy FC(see earlier)

The Airmen ride out to prove their slow start to the year isn’t their status quo, and look to first impose themselves on the youngsters from Tuloy.

MANILA MONTET FC

Last time out: 0-13 loss vs Stallion

This time out: vs Davao Aguilas(see earlier)

This humble scribe hopes to see the Montet that started brightly against OneTaguig this weekend, not the Charmin-soft disorganized set of footballers that got thrashed last weekend.

And there we go – all 7 games previewed and hopefully you’re fired up to come on down and watch the games! See you in the stands!