PHIL Younghusband scored for the third straight match as FC Meralco Manila returned to the Philippines Football League summit with a tough 1-0 away win over Ilocos United, while Ceres Negros streaked to a third straight victory at home.
Younghusband beat Baba Sampana from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after a handball infraction on Ilocos inside the box, which turned out to be the the only goal of the match played under the rain.
The victory puts the Sparks back on top with 20 points from eight matches, although JPV Marikina can regain No. 1 with a triumph over the Davao Aguilas in a match scheduled to be played last night at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Busmen flaunted their attacking depth in prevailing over Stallion Laguna, 5-2, for the second time in the space of four days.
Goals from Stephan Schrock, Jeffrey Christiaens, Iain Ramsay, OJ Porteria and Bienvenido Maranon highlighted a glittering attacking performance by coach Risto Vidakovic’s men, which moved up to third spot with 13 points ahead of Global Cebu on goal difference.
“It’s not easy to play this level but I think the team did everything,” said Vidakovic, whose side will face rival Global Cebu on Wednesday at Cebu City Sports Center. “They worked hard in the first half, especially in the first half, it was very hot. I can only congratulate my players for giving 100 percent.”
Schrock opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a left-footed deflected strike past Roland Sadia.
A sequence of three goals in the space of six minutes put the game beyond Stallion’s reach with Christiaens setting off the flurry with a 27th minute strike, before Ramsay’s chip made it 3-0.
Porteria’s volley from outside the box in the 33rd minute turned out to be the best among the lot.
Stallion managed to grab two late goals through Balot Doctora and Terrence Linatoc, but the Laguna side fell to its fifth defeat of the season. Stallion also lost to Ceres, 1-5, last Wednesday.
The Sparks also got a superb effort from goalkeeper Jun Badelic, who stopped Josh Reyes’ effort in the 84th minute preserving the victory for Meralco. The Sparks face JPV on Saturday at Rizal Memorial Stadium in a battle for the lead.
MATCHES WEDNESDAY (Binan Football Stadium)
4 p.m. Stallion Laguna vs Kaya FC Makati
(Cebu City Sports Center)
4 p.m. Global Cebuvs Ceres Negros
