To paraphrase the Rembrandts’ seminal pop-hit ‘I’ll Be There for You,’ nobody told Maharlika-Taguig gaffer Lerche Njang that his last two weeks weren’t gonna be this way. Reeling from a 10-1 paddling at the hands of defending league champions Kaya-Iloilo, they shipped double-digits again after surrendering 10 to Cebu FC in PFL action earlier today.
Early on, Cebu was able to impose their will on a game but ultimately disorganized Taguig backline, and after some probing, they were able to slice them open – Dutch midfielder Guytho Mijland pocketing the first of what would prove to be many 6 minutes in after a clinical passing move with fellow midfielder Zamoranto Ho-A-Tham, and the first of his personal hat-trick; he doubled Cebu’s advantage 16 minutes later from a low JB Borlongan cross and netted his third early in the 2nd half from another teed pass from Borlongan.
Ho-A-Tham and Borlongan themselves would also be amongst the goals; the Surinamese dynamo slotting in a volley from outside the box in the 24th minute from a good Daniel Gadia pass, and Borlongan netting just before halftime after getting the ball from a Baris Tasci interception and rocketing up the pitch to put it past the game but ultimately pummeled Jay Mendez.
Abou Sy would make it 6 in the 51st minute after Mijland turned provider, and then Cebu’s substitutes would put on a show. Ali Yanik would net twice within 20 minutes, the 2nd an acrobatic volley from a looping Rintaro Hama cross; Hama would also net himself in the 72nd minute, and Chima Uzoka capped it off 2 minutes into stoppage time after Ho-A-Tham danced his way into the box and laid one off for the Fil-Nigerian striker, as Cebu built a ton of momentum headed into their colossal clash with Kaya FC next week.
Psychology graduate that’s been down the football rabbit hole since a kiddie camp in 1996. Once made a tryout for Manila Jeepney and a weekend consists of hand-wringing about Manchester United and Stallion Laguna. Can be found spouting opinions on X @FullyVaxxedJ
