 |
| UFL (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Ceres survived a second half threat from Loyola to score a 5-2 win in a battle to get the top spot in the UFL table at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.
Ceres appeared to have cruised to a rout of Loyola after going up 3-0 on goals by Adrian Gallardo, Patrick Reichelt, and Martin Steuble.
But moments after Steuble's rocket goal in the 67th minute, Phil Younghusband launched Loyola's comeback bid after scoring on his own long range effort from just outside the box.
Adam Mitter then pulled Loyola to within one four minutes later by scoring off a header.
Gallardo then restored order for Ceres with a header goal off a Reichelt assist in the 79th minute as Loyola lost steam in the end. Gallardo then completed a hat trick with a stoppage time goal.
Frustration have played a factor as well as Loyola coach Simon McMenemy and one of his coaching staff members got sent off for dissenting to the officiating of the match.
Phil Younghusband then shoved a Ceres coaching staff member after the match as he did not like the latter's gesture on him.
Now winning its seventh straight game, Ceres is now the provisional leader of the league table with 21 points with erstwhile top team Kaya facing Stallion in a Sunday night affair.
Despite the loss, Loyola remained in third place.
.jpg)
