As the captain of his team, Jim Ashley Flores delivered when it mattered to help Mendiola 1991 barge into the win column of the 2022-2023 Philippines Football League courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Maharlika Manila, Sunday evening, at the City of Imus Grandstand in Cavite.
The 29-year-old forward converted from close range in the 90th minute of the match off a cross from Jay Shaun Soberano to break the long stalemate and eventually seal the victory.
“Yung crosses kase, matagal na namin pinaplano yung attacking. Yun talaga yung the way na we wanted to attack. So, for now, thank you kay Lord kase binigay sa amin yung goal,” said Flores. “It means a lot for us kase nasa Imus yung home namin tapos binigay sa amin yung three points. Thank you sa LGU ng Imus kase binigyan kami ng chance i-represent ang Imus, Cavite.”
The result was Mendiola 1991’s first win in the PFL since the 2-0 victory – also against Maharlika Manila – on November 9, 2020.
Flores’s goal ensures that Mendiola 1991’s three-game losing streak to start the season has finally snapped.
“Thankful ako sa management kase binibigyan kami ng training sessnion parati,” said Flores. “Yung struggles namin, at least nabigyan kami ng kaunting biyaya ngayon kase binigay sa amin ni Jesus. Nagpapasalamat ako sa buong Mendiola family and sa lahat ng teammates ko. Kung hindi dahil sa kanila, wala kami dito.”
Mendiola 1991 now has three points and sits in sixth place in the league table.
On the other hand, Maharlika Manila’s search for its maiden victory continues as it has now lost five games on the bounce. The club is yet to tally a single point this season.
