Win vs. Air Force "exactly what we needed" says Global Makati's Custodio

Kennedy Uzoka celebrates after scoring the equalizer for Global Makati that sparked its endgame rally. Mia Montayre/PFL

By Ivan Saldajeno

BIÑAN—In a designated home game at the Biñan Football Stadium on Wednesday, Global Makati fought back from a first half own goal to drub Air Force, 3-1, for its first win of the PFL season.

[Related Story: Global Makati rallies to beat Air Force for 1st win; Kaya Iloilo zaps Mendiola in goalfest]

And for Mathew Custodio, the victory came at the most opportune time.

"This win was exactly what we needed to keep going," Custodio, who was named the Man of the Match, told Dugout Philippines at the nearby Alonte Sports Arena in the post-match press conference.

The former three-time top flight champ has been in rebuilding mode stemming from the financial issues it had last year, which according to some former players is still imminent at present.

Save for longtime Global Makati player Jerry Barbaso, former UFL Best Goalkeeper Nelson Gasic, and energetic striker Kennedy Uzoka, most of the club's players are relative unknowns.

The signs of the rebuild were present in Makati's first two matches, a tough 0-1 defeat to Green Archers United and a 0-8 beating by Ceres Negros.

But Makati showed signs of improvement in the past two games as the club held Kaya Iloilo to just one goal on Saturday night and the 3-1 win against Air Force on Wednesday.

"The character is building up. You will see the difference now. This time, their attitude and character are there. You will see that the camaraderie and the brotherhood are building up also. I think that's one of the things [why] we got the three points," added Coach Frank Muescan.

Global Makati has a chance to stretch its winning run when it goes up against Mendiola back at the BFS on Saturday.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno