The Philippine Football League continues and now is in its 3rd week of action as the final set of teams made their debut this 2025-26 season last night, September 21 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
John Loyd Jalique Dominates for Tuloy FC
In last week’s games, Maharlika FC denied Tuloy FC a win in their season debut.
Now up against Don Bosco Garelli United, who is just playing for the 1st time in this season, Tuloy vows not to go 0-2 in the team standings.
John Loyd Jalique set the tone early, netting twice in the 11th and 41st minutes to give Tuloy firm control before halftime. The outcome was sealed late on when Jasten Lupangco added a third in the 85th minute.
FINAL SCORE: TULOY FC 3 – 0 DON BOSCO GARELLI
The result gave Tuloy its first points of the season, lifting them to third place in the table, while DB Garelli United continued its search for a breakthrough win.
The ‘Man of the Match’ honor was given to Jalique, who shared his thoughts for their 1st win in the season.
“Sa game ang lesson na natutunan namin is kung paano po kami mag tulungan and then yung mga tinuro po ng mga coaches namin is inapply po namin dito sa game that’s why nanalo po kami. And then gagamitin po namin to tong game na to para sa next game para maging inspiration po namin.”
Rico Andes Wins it for Cebu FC in Dramatic Fashion
For the 2nd game of the Saturday action, the Dynamic Herb Cebu FC (0-1) and Stallion Laguna FC (0-0, 1D) square off against one another.
It was a dry 1st half of action, with both teams putting up zeros.
But in the dying seconds of the 2nd half, with a few seconds remaining in the game, Andes, left unmarked by Stallion defender Esrom Paulus, calmly slotted past goalkeeper Jack Landreth in stoppage time to secure Cebu’s first triumph of the season at the 95:21 mark of the game.
FINAL SCORE: CEBU FC 1 – 0 STALLION LAGUNA
With the victory, the club climbed to sixth in the standings with three points, while Stallion stayed in eighth, still winless with only a single point after two matches.
Cebu now turns its attention to continental duty, preparing for a Shopee Cup encounter against Vietnam’s Cong An Ha Noi on September 24.
In the post-game, Rico noted how this squad needed to bounce back after their opening day loss, as well as getting excited in their journey at the Shopee Cup.
“We need to bounce back after our loss against One Taguig and we’re looking forward for our game in Shopee Cup and this is a very good and ‘high morale’ towards the game.”
Kenji Nishioka Shines for Manila in Getting the Win
For the last game, Manila Digger FC (0-1) played against the unbeaten Maharlika FC (1-0).
Maharlika struck first in the 12th minute through Chima Uzoka, but Digger leveled matters when Baboucar Touray converted in the 37th. Just before halftime, Modou Joof completed the turnaround to put Digger ahead.
The match remained tense until the closing stages, with Pa Ousman Gai scoring what turned out to be the decisive goal at the 91:53 mark for the Digger to go up 3-1. Although Uzoka added his second goal at the 96:28 mark, Maharlika ran out of time to salvage a result.
FINAL SCORE: MANILA DIGGER 3 – 2 MAHARLIKA
With back-to-back victories, Manila Digger climbed to the top of the table with seven points, solidifying their early title credentials.
In the postgame, it was Nihioka who was named the MOTM and shared the team’s mindset during their first 2 games.
“So when we lost a goal against Maharlika because they are a very good team, but we are always thinking ‘enjoy the situation’. We’re thinking, what if we get the next goal? And then we always enjoy the situation, that’s why we get the score 1 against 1, next goal then 3rd goal.”
“This is our mindset, ‘always enjoy the situation’ every time.”
