Stallion FC overcomes Meralco with late goals

MANILA, Philippines - Stallion FC came through with three goals in the second half as it fashioned out a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over Loyola Meralco Sparks to seize the First Division lead in the United Football League at the McKinley Hill grounds in Taguig City Tuesday night.

Spanish striker Rufino Familiar Sanchez unleashed a brace to help lift the Stallion booters from a 1-2 deficit into the victory, their eighth win against a loss for a lead-grabbing 24 match points.

Stallion, mentored by Ernest Nierras, now has a two-point advantage of idle Global FC, which slid to No. 2 with 22 points on seven triumphs against a deadlock.

Global FC, meanwhile, tries to regain the lead with a victory over Kaya FC tonight.

Phil Younghusband, who powered the Phl Azkals team to the AFC Challenge Cup win in Manila recently, gave Loyola the early lead with a brilliant rocket on the 30th minute.

But Sanchez struck on the 37th to tie the count but Fil-Brit Matthew Hartmann blasted a goal a minute later to give Loyola a 2-1 lead at halftime.

But the Stallion booters came out of the break in full throttle with Korean Lee Joo Young, Sanchez and Nathaniel Andrew Alquiros combining for goals on the 51st, 56th and 97th minute.

The loss kept the Sparks at third spot with 20 points on six wins and two draws against a loss.

Meanwhile, Chieffy Caligdong uncorked a brace, including the game-winner in injury time, as Green Archers United-Globe carved out a 2-1 win over Nomads FC to keep their title hopes alive with seven points on two wins and a draw against six setbacks.