MANILA, Philippines – Stallion-Sta. Lucia vaulted to second spot while resurgent Kaya continued to rise in the standings as both clubs booked contrasting wins in the United Football League action on Thursday night at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill, Taguig.
Coming off a two-week break, Stallion-Sta. Lucia appeared rusty but they were still able to book a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Nomads.
Stallion’s Jo Young Lee delivered the marginal goal in the 58th minute off a Rufo Sanchez header.
With the prolific Sanchez shackled by Nomads’ leech-like defense, the Spanish striker opted to play decoy that resulted in that big goal by Lee.
Nomads came tantalizingly close to equalize in the 81st minute but Fidelis Nnabuife’s attempt was tipped away by Stallion keeper Ghuillerme Hasegawa.
Despite the ugly win, the Stallions got back on track after losing to league leader Global in their last game. The reigning UFL Cup champions moved up to second spot with 21 points on their seventh win [against a solitary loss] trailing defending league champion Global by one and ahead of idle Loyola Meralco Sparks by two.
In the nightcap, Kaya zoomed to fourth spot after routing a hapless Phil. Air Force, 4-0, in a very physical match.
Air Force head coach Edzel Bracamonte was sent off for shouting at the officials after the Airmen trailed by one early in the match. The Airmen's off-season acquisition Antonio Albor soon followed their coach after getting tagged with his second yellow card in the opening half that saw Kaya holding on to a slim 1-0 edge on an OJ Porteria goal in the eight minute.
Kaya broke the dam in the second half with a brace from new signing Francis Ayew and a bending free kick from Anton del Rosario near the end of regulation. The win was their second in their three matches under new head coach David Perkovich.
Kaya overtook Nomads (11 points) in the league table with 12 points. The Airmen, who bagged the Cup title two seasons ago, are now in danger of relegation after they remained winless in eight matches.