Caligdong, Araneta lift PAF past Nomads

MANILA, Philippines - Azkals standouts Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta stepped up as they powered Air Force Phoenix to a heart-stopping 3-2 victory over a gritty Nomads Auction Manila side in the First Division of the United Football League at the University of Makati field in Makati over the weekend.

Caligdong scored a brace in a five-minute stretch starting on the 50th minute to shatter a scoreless count before Araneta, another national team member, iced the victory with a goal on the 86th minute.

Although out of the title chase, the Airmen, who topped the League and the Cup last year, surged past Green Archers United Globe and Army Fritz and Macziol FC for solo seventh with 16 points on a 4-4-6 (win-draw-loss) record.

Nomads moved to within 1-2 on a 79th minute goal by David Denison and after Araneta made it to a 3-1 count, the Nomads scored behind Randy Musters in injury time.

The loss dropped Nomads to their seventh defeat against four victories and five draws for No. 6 with 17 points.

Meanwhile, Loyola Meralco Sparks FC and Global FC gun for the lead as they take on Air Force Phoenix and Stallion Gilligan’s FC, respectively, at 7 tonight at the UMak and Rizal Memorial pitch.

Loyola and Global are tied at second with 35 points on 11-2-2 slates behind idle Kaya FC with 36 points on an 11-3-2 card.