MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Global FC and reigning Cup titlist Stallion FC fashioned out victories to gain a share of the lead in the First Division of the United Football League at the McKinley Hill grounds recently.
Global FC leaned on a pair of late goals by Jeffrey Christiaens and Delon Patrick Yao as it fended off defending Air Force FC for a 2-0 victory.
Stallion, on the other hand, relied on first half goals by Korean Lee Joo Young and Reuben Doctora Jr. to thwart Pachanga Diliman FC, 3-1.
Gobal and Stallion thus dislodged Loyola Meralco Sparks from the top with 18 match points on six straight victories although the Dan Palami-managed side took the top spot with better goal differential than the Ernesto Nierras-mentored squad, 19-15.
With the match appeared headed to a scoreless draw, Global FC called on Christiaens, a member of the Phl Azkals team, who struck on the 85th before Yao put the game away with a brilliant goal six minutes later.
After Lee and Doctora gave Stallion a 2-0 lead following goals on the 30th and 39th minute, respectively, Jason Cunliff cut it to 1-2 despite the fact that Pachanga-Diliman played just with 10 men following the ejection of Ariel Zerrudo Jr., who was assessed a red card on the 46th.
Spanish striker Rufino Familiar Sanchez then charged home with a fancy goal on the 82nd to finally whisk off Pachanga-Diliman.
Pachanga-Diliman remained at No. 6 with six points on two wins against four defeats while the Airmen remained scoreless and at the bottom with still no wins to show after five outings.