MANILA, Philippines – Spanish striker Rufino Familiar Sanchez unloaded four goals as he powered Stallion FC to a 6-1 demolition of Army FC to keep its stranglehold of the First Division lead in the United Football League at the McKinley Hill grounds in Taguig City.
Sanchez, more known as Rufo, dropped goals like bombs on the Armymen on the 14th, 34th, 61st and 85th minute that sucked the life out of the Armymen early and kept the Stallion booters perched comfortably on top with 33 match points on 11 victories against a loss.
Stallion's other goals came from Nathaniel Andrew Alquiros on the 25th and Reuben Doctora, Jr. on the 77th.
Ricardo Becite provided his team its lone goal, which came on the 48th when Stallion was already way ahead, as Army remained stuck at the bottom with four points on a win and a draw against 10 defeats.
Brothers James and Phil Younghusband took turns as Loyola Meralco Sparks trounced Air Force FC, 2-0, to continue to breathe down on Stallion's neck with 29 points on nine triumphs and two deadlocks against a setback.
James struck on the 17th to give the Sparks the early edge before Phil came down with the hammer on the 79th to seal it.
It didn't help the Airmen that Antonio Albor, Jr. was tossed out after he was assessed a red card on the 83rd.
It was a win that catapulted Loyola from third to second as it overtook defending League champion Global FC, which slid to No. 3 with 28 points on nine wins and a deadlock against a loss.
Air Force was left stranded at second to last with six points on two wins against 10 defeats.