Nate Burkey stars in Kaya's comeback win over Global

MANILA, Philippines -- Almost forgotten after a horrible start, Kaya continued its resurgence with a huge come-from-behind win over rival Global, 3-2, on Thursday night to end its first round campaign in the United Football League at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley HIll, Taguig. 

Kaya leaned on Nate Burkey, who came through with two second half goals, to bring Global down to its knees for the first time this season. 

Global went off to blistering start with two quick goals from Patrick Reichelt in the seventh and eight minute but Masa Omura pulled one goal back in the 19th minute to set up the stage for the huge Kaya comeback. 

Kaya took advantage of Global's goal keepers' woes with regular starter Rolando Sadia (hand) and transferee Ed Sacapano (head wounds) both falling to injuries prompting the officials to give a 10-minute injury time in the oening half. 

Burkey tied the match just nine minutes into the second half when he converted a poor clearance by Global's Val Kama. The former Azkals striker completed Kaya's comeback in the 83rd minute off a missed attempt by OJ Porteria. It was only Burkey's third goal of the season that kept Kaya's stronghold of the fourth place finishing the first round with 4-3-2 win-draw-loss card for 15 points. 

Kaya is now just five points away from the top three after starting the season with only one win, two draws and two losses. 

The heartbreaking loss kept Global at second spot after suffering its first loss of the season (7-1-1 win-draw-loss card). Stallion-Sta. Lucia remained on top of the league table with 24 points on 8-0-1 record while Loyola Meralco rounded up the top three with 20 points on 6-2-1 card. 

In the first game, PSG dealt Phil. Air Force winless in nine matches with a 5-0 blanking. 

PSG pounced on Air Force, which was forced to play nine men after the ejection of Martin Doctora and Paul Concepcion early in the match for confronting the match referee. 

Emmanuel Mbata hiked his league-second best goal total to seven with a brace while Younousse Yaogo, Vaseeba Toure and Kalilou Toure added one each as PSG improved to sixth place tied with Nomads but ahead on goal difference.