PFL W8 Preview: The Report Card

With all 15 PFL clubs having played at least 6 games, this humble scribe feels it is the best time to hand out report cards for everyone’s performances so far. Do take it with a grain of salt, and feel free to chime back in with your ratings – we’ll talk about ‘em in future weeks!

Stallion Laguna

Last time out: 6-1 win vs Mendiola

Next time out: vs Manila Digger, Saturday at 6:15PM

Grade: B-

The Steeds started off hot as all hell but dropping points to OneTaguig and losing to Davao Aguilas dented the grade a bit; we have to penalize them for having been outed as flat-track bullies after all. A nice bounce-back win against Mendiola should invigorate them before a battle with a Manila Digger side that have crept up on everyone in the title chase.

Kaya Iloilo FC

Last time out: BYE

Next time out: vs Tuloy, Sunday at 6:15PM

Grade: A

Champions do what champions do – win. Kaya have only dropped points once this season, and with games against Davao and Stallion still in their back pocket, the road to another championship is clear. This weekend they come back from an extended break to play a game Tuloy squad – can they show the youngsters why they’ve earned the Mighty appellation?

Davao Aguilas FC

Last time out: 1-1 draw with One Taguig

Next time out: vs Garelli United, Saturday at 9 PM

Grade: A+(Surprise package awardee)

Coach Aber Ruzgal’s Eagles have shown their run to the Copa Alcantara Final wasn’t a fluke so far this season, being in the thick of the title race so far and having up-ended Stallion two weeks ago. After that ill-tempered draw with OneTaguig, they get a relatively softer assignment on Saturday night against the limping Garelli United – can they shuffle the pack and find the perfect balance of defensive cohesion and attacking impetus?

Cebu FC

Last time out: 5-0 win vs PAF FC

Next time out: vs United City, Saturday at 5PM(at Seaside)

Grade: B+

The Giants are seemingly back in the hunt, but will need 2 of the clubs above them to slip up to get back in the reckoning for the title; that’s what happens when you let your emotions run wild against the champions. They play United City this weekend in a case of both sides riding momentum, but can they stifle the black and gold wave washing down south?

United City FC

Last time out: 10-0 win vs Manila Montet

Next time out: vs Cebu FC(see above)

Grade: B

After that opening day loss to Kaya, United City have racked up 5 straight wins to get back in the top third of the table; with a trip to Cebu in the offing, can they finally beat a club above them again?

One Taguig FC

Last time out: 1-1 draw with Davao Aguilas

Next time out: vs Maharlika Taguig, Sunday at 3:30PM

Grade: C+

The Lighthousemen have proven they can run with the top third of the table: draws with Stallion, Davao AND Kaya have proven that. The inconsistency with them is maddening though – most times you don’t see where they can pull a result off until they just do, and it isn’t inspiring any confidence to place them with the title runners. They also lose points for being the only side to date that have given up a goal to Montet. This weekend they have a chance to stake their claim against erstwhile neighbors Maharlika for control of Taguig’s footballing heart. 

Manila Digger FC

Last time out: 3-2 win vs Tuloy

Next time out: vs Stallion Laguna (see above)

Grade: B(special awardee: Cardiac Kids)

The Red and Yellow get back to winning ways, and head the middle third of the table at this point, which is maddeningly low considering their talent level; and yet maddeningly apt considering how often they’ve relied on individual brilliances from their players to save the day. A result against Stallion would give them a huge boost towards hopefully figuring out where they want to lie.

Loyola FC

Last time out: 4-3 win vs Army

Next time out: vs PAF FC, Saturday at 3:30 PM

Grade: C+

Talk about a baptism of fire for I Lupi: getting battered by 9 for your first two games, then losing another one to a pair of gigantic howlers. Credit to the young pups for persevering through the dark days and coming out tougher for it as shown last time out against the Servicemen, and with the Airmen up next another leap up the table isn’t unreasonable to fathom.

Tuloy FC

Last time out: 2-3 loss vs Manila Digger

Next time out: vs Kaya(see above)

Grade: C

The youngsters have been alright, though this scribe docks them points for losing to the Air Force. Part of the growing pains really, but they have to toughen up fast lest Kaya use them to send a message this weekend.

Maharlika Taguig FC

Last time out: 3-1 win vs Garelli United

Next time out: vs OneTaguig(see above)

Grade: C-

Getting blown out by 20 goals combined in a 2-week stretch places Maharlika a few paces behind their fellow 3-win sides, but credit to Coach Lerche Njang for winning the games he and his boys should; can they sneak an upset this weekend and vault upward?

Mendiola FC

Last time out: 1-6 loss vs Stallion Laguna

Next time out: BYE

Grade: D+

The Braves have been maddeningly mediocre this season – the opening day hiding of Air Force seems almost a mirage now, especially juxtaposed now with their loss to Garelli United. Hopefully this week off allows them to recharge and refocus on moving back up to the middle third of the table.

Garelli United FC

Last time out: 1-3 loss vs Maharlika Taguig

Next time out: vs Davao Aguilas(see above)

Grade: D

The Greywolves haven’t had the best season but a win over Mendiola and not looking totally overwhelmed gets them favorable points. Sadly this weekend is another exercise in damage limitation, but they *might* snatch a point?

Philippine Air Force FC

Last time out: 0-5 loss vs Cebu FC

Next time out: vs Loyola FC(see above)

Grade: D

Honestly I could just parrot my blurb for Garelli here, only that their win was over Tuloy. With how they played vs Cebu there is hope for them still, but can they pierce a Loyola side high on that emotional win against Army?

Philippine Army FC

Last time out: 3-4 loss vs Loyola FC

Next time out: vs Manila Montet, Saturday at 9PM

Grade: D-

The Servicemen have been solid defensively but muted offensively this season, so them scoring 3 goals against Loyola this weekend was a nice surprise; it’s actually a shame they couldn’t at least have salvaged a point from that game. Now if they fail to win against Montet…..

Manila Montet FC

Last time out: 0-10 loss vs United City FC

Next time out: vs Army(see above)

Grade: F(special award: Achievements in Incompetence)

What else is there to say about this ramshackle operation masquerading as a professional football club? 3 managers IN 7 GAMES with this weekend making it 4 in 8, a strike rate not even the Pozzos at Watford can hope to accomplish? Scoring only 1 goal in 7 and not being able to even half-heartedly come close to adding on to that seeing as their only goalscorer left the club? Their chairman coming out on social media and cheerfully admitting to severely underpaying his players in the guise of “opportunities”? More social media gaffes objectifying one of their players? Can you do something – ANYTHING – that isn’t embarrassing?

And that’s not even on the pitch – come on, do something this weekend.

And that’s our list – with another cracking weekend upcoming, it’s time for us to enjoy, and for those on the borderline to come start watching!