It was certainly one of the games of all time as the weekend PFL action kicked off with the bottom two teams facing off, with Garelli United and Manila Montet both looking to show they’re more than just the results. A late surge saw the Greywolves escape 4-0 victors.
A cagey first half saw both teams take it to the dugout knotted up 0-0—Garelli clearly uncomfortable controlling the ball and spurning several opportunities to break the duck early. Montet, on the other hand, couldn’t take advantage of their opponent’s stuttering start, unable to even complete intermediate passes and coordinate a proper forward run, hoofing the ball and hoping someone would chase it. MJ Jones once again shone for the wooden-spooners, standing on his head the whole time to keep Garelli’s on-target shots out.
The second half began much the same as the first—cagey, but with the orange shirts controlling traffic. The pressure paid off as Jules Koumouin won a penalty within four minutes of the restart after being yanked in the box. Jangobah Johnson stepped up and put the penalty past Jones to put the Salesians in front, and from there they increased the pressure, having finally gotten themselves in front.
Jules Koumouin then went for the knockout blow, scoring twice within 90 seconds in the 72nd minute—the first off a break from a Montet free kick after being laid on by Johnson, the second winning it himself within three Montet passes from the ensuing kickoff to make it 3-0 at that point.
Second-half substitute Aljon Baclason made it 4-0 in the 79th minute after a disastrous Montet clearance from a goal kick landed right at Jules Koumouin’s grateful feet; he turned provider on this occasion and teed up Baclason to round Jones for the goal.
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
