MAHARLIKA Manila FC bounced from its season opener loss with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Mendiola FC 1991 in the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara on March 21 at the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Maharlika FC kicked off the tournament with a 1-0 loss to defending champion Kaya FC-Iloilo on March 15.
In this match, Maharlika FC was also down 1-0 in the opening half after a 44th minute goal by Mendiola FC skipper Jim Ashley Flores. The goal came just two minutes after MJ Libre was sent off after acquiring his second yellow card.
The Clarino brothers, however, took over and lifted Maharlika FC with two goals in the second half.
Gino Clarino tied the match with a goal in the 50th minute, while Miggy Clarino scored the match-winning goal in the 77th minute from an assist from Charlie Beaton.
Maharlika FC faces a new look United City FC (UCFC) on March 24, 2022.
UCFC is back in the Copa Paulino Alcantara after missing the tournament last year.
UCFC is now without two of its best players, skipper Stephan Schrock and star striker Bienvenido Marañon. Schrock mutually parted ways with UCFC and has no team yet as of now, while Marañon transferred to Malaysia Super League champion Johor Darul Ta’zim FC.