Pachanga, Kaya play to a draw in UFL Div 1

MANILA, Philippines - Pachanga PLDT Home Fibr held Kaya to a 1-1 draw, dashing the latter’s title hopes with Loyola Meralco Sparks and Global FC keeping the 1-2 posts 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 with a 21-point total, Kaya remained too far behind Loyola and Global, which continued to show the way with 29 and 28 points, respectively.

Shayan Jafari scored just after the break to give Pachanga, a squad supported by PLDT Home Fibr, the early lead but Kaya struck back behind Tanton’s 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, hit the 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. It 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 victory over Pasargad FC for joint fifth with Army-General Trias International at 13 points.

New recruit David Diamante delivered the first goal for the Globe-backed GAU early in the second half but Jerome Cuyos scored to tie the count.

But Villareal broke through Pasargad’s defense and scored a double, the first to the left corner and the other 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 as it remained in the lead while Manila Jeepney, another team supported by LBC, smashed Dolphins United, 7-1.