PFL Week 5 Preview: Super Sunday

The first month of the PFL season is finally over, and boy, was that a cracking end to April’s action! With the calendar now sliding over to the month of May (Alexa, please play NSync’s “It’s Gonna Be Me!”), we’re getting a definite treat with a super-sized Sunday slate that sees the top 4 face each other in what could realistically be considered title eliminators. With the rest of the league jockeying for position, the other games on the slate aren’t to be ignored. Let’s take a look at the weekend’s slate!

Stallion Laguna

Last time out: 6-0 win vs Army

Next time out: vs OneTaguig on Sunday, 6:15 PM

-> The erstwhile table-topping Stallions have taken advantage of an objectively soft schedule to race to the summit and bank a healthy goal difference in the process. Sunday sees them step under the bright lights against a OneTaguig side with aspirations of their own as their first real test of the year. Will they rise to the challenge and finish the story?

Kaya Iloilo

Last time out: 0-0 vs OneTaguig

Next time out: vs Cebu on Sunday, 3:45 PM (at Campo Alcantara in Pavia, Iloilo)

-> Well, boy howdy, Kaya sure changed the questions on us last week. After an ultimately indecisive draw against OneTaguig saw them lose ground in the title defense, the question on everyone’s lips and minds has to be if they can pick themselves up and get back on track, all while dealing Cebu FC a hammer blow to their own title hopes? In the febrile settings of Ilo-Ilo, all is possible, but the Mighty have to channel that leonine spirit they seem to have strayed from last week.

OneTaguig FC

Last time out: 0-0 vs Kaya

Next time out: vs Stallion Laguna (as noted above)

-> Full marks must be given to the Lighthousemen last week for stifling Kaya – the veteran guile this humble scribe noted last week worked out. This Sunday though, the onus will be on their younger contingent to step up and match the Southern Steeds step for step; otherwise, their own aspirations will be left in the dust.

Cebu FC

Last time out: 10-0 win vs Maharlika-Taguig FC

Next time out: vs Kaya (as noted above)

-> The Gentle Giants sent a message last week – it may have been at the expense of an overmatched and ultimately swamped Maharlika side, but it was made loud and crystal clear: do not sleep on them. With Kaya seemingly on the back foot, can Cebu come in and send them reeling further while strengthening their own title ambitions?

Davao Aguilas

Last time out: 6-0 win vs Manila Montet

Next time out: vs Philippine Army on Saturday, 6:15 PM

-> It may have been a little scrappier than expected, but Davao Aguilas did the business against wooden-spooners Manila Montet, though the lack of dynamism in their forward play concerns this humble scribe. Can they find some pace to break past the Servicemen’s famous compact block and stay in stride with the top half of the table?

Manila Digger

Last time out: 3-2 win vs Mendiola FC

Next time out: vs Loyola FC on Saturday, 3:30 PM

-> The Cardiac Kids of the league so far, Manila Digger fought off a spirited Mendiola run at them last time out – but can they finally have a game that isn’t decided by the odd goal? If they can control the middle with their massive striker Salifu Jattah, they just might be able to fend off a game Loyola and continue digging for the pot of gold at the end of the league calendar.

United City

Last time out: BYE

Next time out: vs Garelli United on Sunday, 3:30 PM

-> Coming off an early bye, United City looks to get their season back on track against a Garelli United side smarting after their demolition against Loyola. Will that week off prove decisive against a stretched Wolfpack?

Mendiola FC

Last time out: 2-3 loss vs Manila Digger

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

-> After three straight losses now, this has got to be the refresher Mendiola gaffer Niboy Pedimonte is looking for – a game against the wooden-spooners. Will Mendiola finally get their season back on track and be able to look up at the middle of the pack now?

Tuloy FC

Last time out: 1-2 loss vs Philippine Air Force

Next time out: BYE

-> After that Sunday night game against Air Force, we can only hope the lads of Tuloy got a little break after being manhandled for almost the entire match. With a week off, the hope is they rest up and get their muscles and minds back on track.

Loyola FC

Last time out: 5-1 win vs Garelli United

Next time out: vs Manila Digger (see above)

-> Lots of firsts for Loyola last week – their first goals of the league campaign and their first win. Can they now add their first close game of the season against the aforementioned cardiac kids in yellow and red? Or can they take the momentum of that big win and make it two in a row?

Philippine Air Force FC

Last time out: 2-1 win vs Tuloy

Next time out: vs Maharlika-Taguig FC on Sunday, 9 PM

-> The Airmen are off the runway – after that first win of the year against a game but physically overmatched Tuloy side, they now face a reeling Maharlika side that have shipped 20 goals in the past 2 games. Can they hit the target and generate more upward thrust up the ranks on Sunday night?

Maharlika-Taguig FC

Last time out: 0-10 loss vs Cebu FC

Next time out: vs Air Force (see above)

-> Meanwhile, the other half of the Sunday nightcap is moving in the opposite direction of the Airmen. After shipping 20 goals in the past 2 games, what answers can Coach Lerche Njang and the rest of the Maharlikans provide to arrest their slide down the ranks?

Garelli United FC

Last time out: 1-5 loss vs Loyola

Next time out: vs United City (see above)

-> Garelli’s high from their first win of the season 2 weeks ago was rudely interrupted by a rampaging Loyola side – now can they summon an echo of that previous win against a fresh United City side? If they jump on them like they did Mendiola, they may be able to, but it may be a long day if they can’t.

Philippine Army FC

Last time out

: 0-6 loss vs Stallion Laguna

Next time out: vs Davao Aguilas (see above)

-> First off, credit must be given to the Servicemen for being able to hold their block well against Stallion Laguna last time out. However, this week is a different challenge, with Davao Aguilas having a bit of an issue moving the ball forward. Can they summon some speed and guile to find opportunities on the break and maybe steal a point or more?

Manila Montet FC

Last time out: 0-6 loss vs Davao Aguilas

Next time out: vs Mendiola FC (see above)

-> Again, we must give credit to Montet GK MJ Jones – 4 penalty saves in one game is no mean feat. Now if his teammates played with the same intensity as he did…

Nevertheless, if they have the awareness to recognize Mendiola’s tendency to get lost in the passing game, they may be able to steal a result. For the audience’s sake on Saturday night, this humble scribe hopes they can.

As the writer Emily Bronte put it, “May is the month of expectations, the month of wishes, the month of hope.” It’s a fresh page in the calendar for all 15 clubs in the league, and wherever their battles are, they come in hopeful of success this weekend. As fans, it can only mean beautiful action for us, whichever game you choose to watch. Come on down!