Lions share football lead

MANILA, Philippines - Last year’s runner up San Beda downed defending champion St. Benilde, 2-0, to gain a share of the lead in the 86th NCAA football competition at the University of Makati field over the weekend.

Striker Roy Lanting scored on the 63rd minute before Francis Sumudivilla came out of nowhere and knocked in another goal from near midcourt exactly 20 minutes later to clinch the win for the Lions.

San Beda, which bucked the loss of ace striker David Fornea late in the first half, thus drew level with St. Benilde with 12 points but the former gain the solo lead with a win over unpredictable Perpetual Help Altas in their last assignment in the single-round eliminations.

The win also foiled St. Benilde’s sweep bid as the Blazers took their first loss after sweeping their first four matches.

It was also sweet revenge for the Mendiola-based booters, who lost the crown to the Blazers on a 0-1 decision in last year’s finale.

In the other men’s match, Arellano routed Perpetual Help, 13-1, to join idle Emilio Aguinaldo at third spot on 1-1-2 (win-loss-draw) slates.

The Altas fell to 1-0-3.

In junior’s action, CSB and San Beda fought to a scoreless draw while Arellano blasted Perpetual Help, 8-1, to stay in the title hunt.