Loyola finally got on the board in the 2024 season of the Philippines Football League as it handed upset-conscious Don Bosco Garelli a massive reality check with a 5-1 rout on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial.
The returning pioneers had to shake off the first two losses against Cebu and Stallion Laguna as they brought the Bosconians back to earth in a five-star performance to notch their first win since the inaugural season in 2017, with five different players scoring for the Pack.
Loyola gaffer Roxy Dorlas made subsequent changes to the side that conceded nine goals against the two title contenders. Javi Coscolluela was the most notable change in goal, replacing Isaac Annan, and Teddy Travis was given a start in the midfield.
It only took them five minutes to get the desired result when Daisuke Kobayashi intercepted a pass from Johnsberg Sancho intended for Solomon Obu and played a one-two with William Winter before the Japanese forward slotted it home from eight yards out.
Kobayashi then turned provider just two minutes before half-time, with his pass finding an onrushing Boris Kante, who made no mistake in doubling their lead with a right-footed rocket that left John Misagal no chance at all.
Charlie Beaton’s last meaningful act came two minutes before he was replaced by Emmanuel Osei in the 56th minute. He delivered a diagonal ball to the left wing for new signing Jayvee Kallukaran, who fired in a cross that mysteriously found its way past John Misagal to make it 3-0 for Loyola.
Substitute Rupert Bana then displayed his poaching instincts, reminiscent of his time with Ateneo in the UAAP, and fired a low right-footed shot past Anton Cabra to put Loyola 4-0 up in the 66th minute.
Loyola then had to survive the final 20 minutes with ten men after goalscorer Kante was sent off for a second bookable offense.
However, Garelli could not capitalize on their numerical advantage and evened the playing field with a red card of their own, as halftime substitute Paolo Alovera was shown a straight red for denying a clear scoring chance for Osei in the 78th minute.
Two minutes after Alovera’s dismissal, Jorrel Aristorenas finally found the target for his first Loyola goal in a long time, latching onto a short pass by Osei from a set piece with a right-footed curler to make it 5-0.
Not even a Jangobah Johnson consolation goal deep into stoppage time could dampen the celebratory mood of Loyola, who recorded their first win in the league since defeating their rivals Kaya in the third-place match of the 2017 finals series.
Loyola lineup: Coscolluella (GK) (Ali 74’), Travis (Sidibe 56’), Beaton (Emmanuel Osei 56’), Aristorenas, Kallukaran, Echter, Logarta © (Saludo 90+1’), Asare, Kobayashi, Boris Kante, Winter (Bana 56’)
DB Garelli lineup: Misagal (GK) (Cabra 56’), Tirado (Neo 46’), Leandro (Suplito 46’), Jangobah Johnson, Banagodos, Johnsberg Sancho (Alovera 46’), Mahinay ©, Fornis, Dorego (Dela Cruz 90+3’), Solomon Obu
