MANILA, Philippines - Stallion Giligan’s FC leaned on its superb passing to fuel its attacking game as it smashed defending champion Air Force Phoenix, 4-1, to storm in front of the First Division of the United Football League at the University of Makati field Tuesday night.
Reuben Doctora Jr. and Korean Lee Joo Young took turns in delivering the goals as the Stallions forced a three-way tie with the Loyola Meralco Sparks and LBC-backed Kaya FC side with six points apiece.
Stallions, however, took the No. 1 spot on goal differential with nine points, thanks to its 6-0 rout of Navy Red Juice two weeks ago. Kaya and the Sparks have two goal differential each.
“As long as we keep our ‘one-pass’ style of play and stay disciplined, we’ll have a chance in this tournament,” said Stallions manager Ernest Nierras.
Lee, who came through with the league’s first hat-trick in a lopsided win over the Navymen, opened scoring with an eighth-minute goal aided somewhat by Navy goalie Edmundo Mercado Jr., who misread the ball spin following a botched clearance by Joel Ballo-Allo Jr.
Doctora, a former national team member, followed it up less than 20 minutes later as he snatched the ball at midfield and turned it into a goal for a 2-0 lead.
Lee made it 3-0 with another goal, his fifth in just two matches, just five minutes before halftime, giving the Stallions enough cushion to weather the Airmen’s desperate final assault.
After some bungled attempts, including one by Long Teng Cup Golden Boot Chieffy Caligdong that was saved by Wilson Muñoz, Air Force finally scored in the 70th minute Yanti Barsales on a cross from the lightning-quick Caligdong on the right side.
But Doctora, out to make an impression for a possible re-inclusion to the Azkals team, broke away for a left-footed finish on the 85th minute to seal the victory.
While the Stallions, the League and Cup title-holders, remained unscathed, the Airmen, who lost to Kaya, 0-1, in the opener, remained winless.