Mendiola FC 1991 celebrates 30th founding anniversary

One of the country's oldest existing football clubs, Mendiola FC 1991 made sure its 30th founding anniversary will be one for the books.

Mendiola FC fielded a rejigged and revitalized roster for its participation in the ongoing Philippines Football League (PFL) Copa Paulino Alcantara 2021 at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

The club has also secured an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup License from the Philippine Football Federation and should it win the Copa tournament, Mendiola FC can see action in the prestigious Asian contest.

“We would like to thank the PFF and the AFC for recognizing our club and granting us an AFC Cup license. Playing in the AFC was the dream of our founders, Coach Aris Caslib and the late Coach Felix Servita when they organized the club in 1991. Now we are much closer to that dream,” said Mendiola FC team manager Erwin Guevarra Isla.

“The license is also a motivation for our players to win this year’s PFL Cup so we can represent the country in the AFC Cup."

Mendiola also welcomed to its fold some debuting San Beda University booters like Miguel Artillera, Reinhard Colasito, Jimson Crestal, Eric Manlapas, Kenneth Payosalan, Lorenzo Sabado, Mark Castillo, Keith Edulan, EC Rasonable, Christopher Villanueva, Ralph Datoy, Vince Baito, NCAA MVP Jesse Semblante, and 30th SEA Games national players Mariano Suba, Jr., and Michael Asong.

“We’ve upgraded our program not just for the (PFL) Cup and League, but also for the future AFC Cup and hopefully for the AFC Champions League,” said Mendiola FC Head Coach Dan Padernal.

Mendiola FC team will test its mettle on Wednesday, November 10, when it faces last year's runner-up Kaya FC -Iloilo at 4:00 p.m.

It will be followed by the match between Stallion Laguna FC and Dynamic Herb Cebu FC at 7:30 p.m.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News