Cebu FC hopes for a win against Mendiola and get back into the top 4

PHOTO by YEOJEVE ABELLAN

Jose Magson Dourado (88), one of the new players added to the Cebu Football Club lineup, controls the ball in their match against Kaya FC-Iloilo. 

Cebu FC hopes for a win against Mendiola and get back into the top 4

The Cebu Football Club (CFC) Gentle Giants are hoping to win their first home game for 2025 in the Philippines Football League (PFL) Season 2024-2025 against Mendiola FC 1991 at the Dynamic HERB-Borromeo Sports Complex in the South Road Properties, Cebu City, Saturday, February 8, 6PM.

A victory against Mendiola will give the Gentle Giants a chance to get back into the top 4 after dropping to fifth place following their 1-3 loss to top-seeded Kaya FC-Iloilo last weekend in Manila.

CFC currently has 14 points so far in the ongoing PFL season with its 4 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, thus the team hopes to repeat its 6-0 thrashing of Mendiola last September 29.

Newly-installed head coach, Tomasito “Glenn” Ramos, said they are expecting a good match this weekend.

“Right now I am very confident because we (the team) are almost complete. We had 3 to 4 players who were not able to play during the Kaya game because of their penalties and also injuries, but this Saturday we are complete. There is a big chance for us,” Ramos said.

Ramos added that as a new coach, he also already made adjustments to their play for the match against Mendiola.  

“During the Kaya game, I’d say that in the first half, we had a good attacking. In the second half, we did adjustments but it was very difficult because we barely had two weeks to prepare against a team that did not take a break during Christmas, while my players just came from vacation with some arriving one week before the competition. And, we played against a top team,” Ramos noted. 

Despite the big challenges, Ramos said the Gentle Giants played good in the first 40 minutes with Daniel Gadia sneaking in a goal just six minutes into the match.

However, Ramos added that after the first 40 minutes, the team’s fitness level went down, and although they still managed in the second half, two players getting injured in the sidelines did not aid their cause.

“The adjustment was a big factor,” said Ramos.

 

According to Ramos, he is happy with how the players are adapting to his philosophy in terms of playing style and “they are very positive in their performance right now.”

Also for coach Ramos, playing in their home turf is a big advantage because it is where they practice and it is their home city, thus the spectators are all here. 

“Playing here will give us a big support and more energy will be coming in this place.”