In a duel of two clubs with similar histories, Davao Aguilas UMak FC outclassed mid-table Loyola FC in a commanding 3-0 win at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last Sunday night, marking Davao’s first-ever competitive win against Loyola since entering the pro ranks in 2017.
A first-half blitz from Davao, along with their usual disciplined low block, sealed the expected result for the Aguilas, with goals from Uriel Dalapo, Yusuke Unoki, and Marvin Bricenio ending the three-game winning streak for the dire Wolves.
With most of the squad fit and returning from disciplinary suspensions, Aguilas head coach Aber Ruzgal fielded the returning captain Daisuke Sato and Shoma Sato in the back, anchoring a 4-3-3 formation. Meanwhile, Kart Talaroc remained on midfield duty, replacing the unavailable Omae So, while Loyola head coach Roxy Dorlas provided a start for DLSU forward Isaac Anoh to counter the Aguilas defense.
It was a swinging start for Davao as they found themselves two goals up in less than 10 minutes of action. Uriel Dalapo ran past two defenders in the left wing before beating the Loyola goalkeeper Javi Coscolluela at his near post to make it 1-0 in the 6th minute. An Ibrahima N’dour through ball found Yusuke Unoki beating the high line and dancing past the keeper to double the lead in the 9th.
The quickfire two-goal cushion provided the ammunition for the Aguilas to maintain control of the game while the stunned Wolves tried to lessen the bleeding by compacting their defensive shape. Marvin Bricenio slammed home the insurance goal from an Unoki low cross right before halftime to make it three.
Davao continued to dominate in the second half, albeit experimenting with their attack. They placed Ibrahima N’dour slightly to the left flank while continuing to tighten their low block. Loyola’s Isaac Anoh, Jayvee Kallukaran, and Charlie Beaton knocked on the door with their huge chances for the Wolves, only to be stopped by the Davao back four and some heroics from goalkeeper Dini Outtara until the full-time whistle.
Both clubs were two of the eight founder-clubs of the inaugural Philippines Football League back in 2017. Davao Aguilas FC held their home games in the Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum City, while FC Meralco Manila rebranded from their original UFL name of Loyola Meralco Sparks FC.
In that season, both clubs faced four times, drawing once in a 2-2 deadlock at Tagum, while FC Meralco Manila won all three other fixtures. Since then, both clubs suffered the same fate of folding, with FC Meralco Manila ceasing pro operations at the conclusion of the 2017 season, while Davao followed suit a year after. With painful rebuilds for both clubs in their absence in local pro football, both returned to compete in the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara, with name rebrands as Loyola FC and Davao Aguilas UMak FC respectively, and subsequently in the ongoing PFL season.
Davao Aguilas, currently 2nd in the league, will continue their quest as cup challengers as they will lock horns with an equally hungry Dynamic Herb Cebu FC in 3rd place in what could be a heated Bisaya derby at Cebu, while Loyola, still at 8th, will try to return to the winning column as they face Maharlika Taguig at RMS, both fixtures this Sunday afternoon.
