Kaya settles for draw, fails to zero in on leaders

MANILA, Philippines -- Kaya battled Pachanga PLDT Home Fibr to a 1-1 draw that dealt a huge blow to its title chance as it couldn't close in on the pace-setting Loyola Meralco Sparks and Global FC in the First Division of the United Football League at the Emperador Stadium Saturday night.

Substitute Miguel Tanton headed home the equalizing goal from a spectacular long throw from Azkals standout Anton del Rosario on the 70th minute to salvage a point for the LBC-bankrolled Kaya side.

But it was not enough to push Kaya closer to Loyola and Global with only 21 points to show against the latter's 29 and 28, respectively.

Shayan Jafari opened up the scoring after he came through with a rocket just after the break to put Pachanga, a squad supported by PLDT Home Fibr, up front with a one-goal advantage that Kaya erased with that Tanton header.

Pachanga stayed at seventh with 11 points.

"We should have won that match," said Pachanga coach Noel Marcaida in Filipino. "We couldn't maximize our chances and the absence of two of their top players (OJ) Porteria and (Chris) Greatwich."

Kaya mentor David Perkovic, for his part, was livid and complained of poor officiating.

"I'm sick and tired of hopeless refereeing. The linesman half the time isn't even looking at the ball, so how does he know it's offside? I'm sick and tired of outcomes of games being determined by the referees. Today was absolutely disgusting refereeing," he said.

Earlier, Reynald Villareal came through a brace late in the match as he lifted Green Archers United Globe to a 3-1 triumph over Pasargad FC to jump to a share of fifth spot with Army-General Trias International with 13 points apiece.

New signing David Diamante delivered the first goal for the Globe-backed GAU early the second half to seize a 1-0 lead, an advantage that was turned into a deadlock on a goal by Jerome Cuyos.

Enter Villareal, who scored a double in a hurry, breaking through Pasargad's defense with five minutes left in regulation.

His first goal was a missile to the left corner after he relying on his individual brilliance to find a small space in the heavily defended penalty box while the second came when he beat the goalkeeper to complete the brace.

In Second Division action, Ceres-La Salle Bacolod blasted Cimarron, 4-0, on doubles by Younousse Yaogo and Azkals hotshot Patrick Reichelt to remain untouchable at the helm while Manila Jeepney, another team supported by LBC, smashed Dolphins United, 7-1.