[ad_1]
With each match virtually a must-win, the 2020 edition of the Philippine Soccer League kicks off on Sunday with all six teams watching action on the field of the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
The start of hostilities is the 9am clash between Azkals Development Team and Mendiola FC, while the 8pm cup sees pre-tournament favorites United City FC colliding with newcomer Maharlika FC Manila, banned by former Azkals defender Anton del Rosario.
Between these two matches in the competition presented by Qatar Airways is the 4:30 p.m. fight between Stallion-Laguna FC and Kaya-Iloilo FC, whose respective referees anticipate a very physical and intense match like their previous meetings.
Both Stallion-Laguna FC mentor Ernie Nierras and Kaya-Iloilo FC general manager Paul Tolentino even acknowledged that being together for the opening day clash seemed inevitable.
“No matter what the result of the draw is, we always felt and knew that we would play Kaya in the first match,” Nierras said of their duel in the Philippine Football Federation sanctioned competition.
Tolentino shared the same feelings.
“When I asked the coaching staff before the draw who we would play against, they answered ‘Stallion’ and that’s how it happened,” he said.
Savvy Stallion-Laguna tactician who expects a dogfight between the two sides “because he’s Kaya.”
“We could play inside a basketball court and the intensity is going to be very high,” Nierras said. “That has always been the tenor of our games.”
Stallion is led by veteran Balot Doctora and former prominent referees Matthew Nierras, Jess Melliza and Nathan Alquiros.
Kaya will pin his hopes on skipper Jovin Bedic and veterans Masa Omura, Martin Angeles and Simone Rota. Coach Yu Hoshide’s team has probably the best defender in the league in Carlyle Mitchell, a former player for the Trinidad and Tobago national team who once fought Lionel Messi in an international friendly in Argentina.
Nierras and Tolentino had different prospects after their teams bowed as contenders to United City in pursuit of the championship trophy in the compact single-round series.
“It’s good that after all these years, we are suddenly considered as title contenders,” Nierras said.
“As for being the favorites, I know it’s very cliché, but we have to prove ourselves from the start,” Tolentino said. “Whatever we did last season doesn’t count for anything. Everyone starts over from scratch.”
They both said their respective players were really looking forward to getting back on the court and playing.
“I can speak for Kaya and I’m pretty sure all the other clubs share the same sentiment. We are very grateful and excited to play,” said Tolentino.
“We are very happy to be able to really play. We have been practicing for over a month, so we are happy about that. So now we are looking forward to really playing and getting going with the league,” Nierras emphasized.
