Loyola continued to roll in the 2024 Philippines Football League after a much-improved showing saw them rout the Philippine Air Force 5-1 at the Rizal Memorial last Saturday afternoon.
The rainy season had officially begun in the country, but that did not deter the Rambling Wolfpack of manager Roxy Dorlas as they notched their third win in a row with a dominating performance against the Airmen, who had not played against each other for the past eleven years.
Five different names were on the scoresheet for the returning league pioneers, including two Lasallians who were gladly plying their trade for the side with Atenean roots.
William Winter put Loyola up front in the 27th minute, notching his fourth in the last three games after being picked out by skipper Jorrel Aristorenas, and the forward made no mistake with his left foot past Mark Anthony Mendome.
The Air Force custodian then gifted Loyola a second eleven minutes later, as his butter-fingered gloves turned a manageable save into a howler when David Asare hit a long-distance shot from a free kick.
Midfielder Mauro Acot then produced a goal-of-the-season contender in the 59th minute, as he launched a rocket into the top right corner to virtually secure all three points and barge into the top eight in the process.
Javi Coscolluella’s hopes of a second clean sheet were dashed by a rare individual brilliance, as Jan Delariarte put the Airmen on the board 19 minutes before full time when he beat five Loyola defenders and slotted a sublime effort into the back of the net.
However, that was all it took for the Villamor booters as Loyola quickly restored order through Jayvee Kallukaran’s left foot in the 75th minute, launching a free kick from a tight angle on the right wing.
Isaac Anoh reprised his super-sub role two minutes before full time as he connected with Rupert Baña on a counter to finish off a glorious day for the men in white.
LOYOLA LINEUP: Coscolluella (GK), Closa (Chua 70’), Wade, Travis (SM Kim 81’), Beaton, Aristorenas ©, Kallukaran, Asare, Kante (Sidibe 70’), Acot (Baña 70’), Winter (Anoh 81’)
AIR FORCE LINEUP: Mendome (GK), Jan Delariarte, Albor, Bronda (Estampador 46’), Obero, Belgira (Busmion 90+1’), Bebangco (Salenga 46’), Jed Delariarte, Lestingio (Ronald Macasinag 57’), Poderoso (Mauring 66’), Bulaquina ©
