Chieffy goals lift Air Force

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning League and Cup champion Air Force Phoenix FC leaned on a pair of late goals by Chieffy Caligdong as it turned back Pasargad FC, 2-0, to gain solo fifth in the First Division of the United Football League at the University of Makati field in Makati City Wednesday night.

With the match heading to a scoreless draw, Caligdong, a member of the Phl Azkals, struck late in regulation then delivered another one in injury time to seal the victory for the Airmen.

Caligdong’s heroics pushed Air Force to fifth with 11 points on three victories and two draws against three losses, ahead of idle Army Fritz & Macziol FC, which has nine points on two wins and three draws against four defeats.

Caligdong, the Golden Boot winner in last year’s Long Teng Cup, scored only his second and third goals of the season after being slowed down with various injuries since the league started early in the year.

Caligdong’s first goal of the season came in a 2-2 tie with Army Fritz & Macziol FC last Jan. 28 at the Rizal Memorial pitch.

The Air Force’s victory also came two weeks after it battled back to force a 3-3 standoff with heavy title favorite Loyola Meralco Sparks on goals by Joebel Bermejo and another Azkals mainstay Ian Araneta in injury time.

Global FC, which demolished Kaya FC, 5-1, last March 31 at the UMak, leads the way with 21 points on seven wins against two setbacks.

Loyola is at No. 2 with 19 points followed by LBC-backed Kaya FC at No. 3 with 18 points and Stallion Gilligan’s FC at No. 4 with 14 points.