By: Icko De Guzman
One Taguig kicked off its 2025–26 PFL season with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Dynamic Herb Cebu, despite finishing the match with just 10 men, on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Returning star Patrick Reichelt scored in the 49th minute, helping One Taguig secure their first win over Cebu after Andres Aldeguer had given the home side the lead on the stroke of halftime.
Reichelt, a former Philippines international, capitalized on a perfectly weighted pass from Aldeguer, firing the ball past Cebu goalkeeper Rami Jeridi.
Playing his first full 90 minutes on home soil in years, Reichelt savored the chance to perform in front of local fans after stints in Thailand and Malaysia. He has previously won titles with two PFL pioneers, Ceres-Negros and Global-Cebu, and the now-defunct UFL.
“It’s just a great feeling to be back here after so many years away. I always knew I wanted to come back to play in the PFL,” said Reichelt, who has 93 international caps and 16 goals. “Having won the PFL four times, I came back to win, and today was the first step.
“I manifested that goal. I knew I was going to score, and it happened,” he added. “We have so many quality players, and it’s just great to be back in the Philippines.”
Cebu nearly mounted a late comeback when Rico Andes scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, but One Taguig held on to claim all three points.
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In Saturday’s earlier match, Maharlika Manila defeated Tuloy, 3–2.
Michael Menzi scored twice in the first 15 minutes to give Maharlika an early advantage, with goals in the 7th and 15th minutes.
Jhon Diaz pulled one back for Tuloy just before halftime, but Fahem Ibrahim restored Maharlika’s two-goal lead in the 64th minute.
Despite John Loyd Jalique scoring in the 89th minute for Tuloy, Maharlika held on for their first win of the season.
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Defending champions Kaya–Iloilo rounded out the day with a gritty 1–0 triumph over Aguilas–UMak.
Mike Ott, who scored a brace in Kaya’s opener, headed in the match-winner in the 51st minute off a precise cross from Mar Diano.
“Today was not our best game; we have a lot to improve on, but it was important that we got the three points,” Ott said after the match.
Kaya currently tops the standings with six points from two wins.
Action resumes this Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, with Philippine Army facing Valenzuela PB-Mendiola at 4:00 PM, followed by Manila Digger taking on Stallion Laguna at 7:00 PM.
