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Celiz, Appiah bolster Mendiola for PFL 2020

By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno

March 1, 2020, 11:43 am

MANILA – John Celiz and Tonaldo Appiah will shore up Mendiola for the upcoming Philippines Football League (PFL) season.

Celiz and Appiah, who led Green Archers United's campaign last year in the PFL, were introduced as the major new signings of Mendiola in the team's media launch at Club Filipino in San Juan City on Saturday night.

Celiz and Appiah were GAU's 1-2 punch in offense last year, but even if the club took a leave of absence from the league this year, they immediately found a new home in Mendiola, which is reeling from the transfer of Ricki Sendra and Alen Angeles to Stallion Laguna.

Also joining Mendiola are John Macapal, JRV Malayo, Dave Deloso, and Sean Epili.

Mendiola, despite losing Sendra and Angeles, maintained the core of its lineup last year led by skipper Aaron Altiche, co-captain Ash Flores, and defender Soul Ndepe.

"We have strengthened our lineup with a fine mix of standouts from the college tournaments, tough and experienced local players, and strong foreign players," said Erwin Isla, the team manager.

Mendiola, mainly composed of alumni from San Beda, now has a major backer as well in Ricardo Penson, who is also helping the cause of the Red Booters in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

"As longtime supporters of the San Beda University seniors NCAA football team, strengthening Mendiola FC 1991 provides a full growth cycle/portal for the sport and the players," said Penson.

Mendiola looks to do better from its fifth-place finish in last year's PFL season.

"We are hoping to be among the Top 3 in the PFL and give the strong teams like Ceres and Kaya more intense games like the matches that we drew with them in 2019," Isla added. (PNA)

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