STALLION Laguna FC was happy to force a draw against Kaya FC-Iloilo, regarded as one of the title contenders in the Philippines Football League (PFL).
Following its shocking 2-1 defeat to new club Maharlika Manila FC last Saturday, Stallion bounced back with a 1-1 draw against Kaya FC-Iloilo last Tuesday thanks to an equalizer by Jan Jan Melliza.
“Masarap kasi parang isa sila sa contenders na kailangan naming talunin,” said the 28-year-old Melliza following their first point of the 2020 PFL bubble. “Kailangan naming i-push ang sarili namin. Kailangan naming ibigay ang best namin.”
The draw against a club that regularly qualifies in the AFC Cup was crucial as Stallion faces another tough test in matchday four on Friday night against United City FC at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
“Kailangan talaga naming mag-draw kasi kung matatalo kami, hindi na kami makakahabol,” said Melliza, referring to the race for the title.
Melliza said the result is a huge boost to the squad, which is in fifth place out of the six-team league competition in the PFL bubble with places in Asian Football Confederation club competitions also at stake.
“Malaking impact ito para sa team. Natalo kami sa Maharlika. Alam naman namin na binigay namin ‘yung best namin. Siguro kulang kami sa fitness. Sabi ni coach, importante na win or lose, masunod lang ‘yung plan na kailangan namin gawin,” said Melliza.
Stallion assistant coach Richard Leyble is equally relieved.
“A lesson learned for us in our first game. We didn’t follow the plan and our objectives (in our first match). Sabi ko mga sa kanila, kapag hindi pa rin masundan ‘yung ginagawa natin sa training, matatalo at matatalo tayo. Sabi ko, go back stronger. I hope na ‘yung nangyari sa atin sa Mahalrika is a lesson learned.”
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