Gallardo drops double hat trick on Laos as Ceres opens Vidakovic era with blowout

Nevin Reyes/UFL
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Adrian Gallardo fired six goals to lead Ceres to an 11-0 mauling of Laos in the nightcap of the UFL doubleheader at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Thursday.

Gallardo scored five straight goals, four to start the second half, that spoiled what appeared to be Laos' gallant stand on Ceres before completing the double hat trick with the clock winding down as the defending champions scored a victory in the day they welcomed new coach Risto Vidakovic, who despite officially taking over from Ali Go after the All-Star break showed up.


Lee Jeong-Woo put Ceres on the board in the 12th minute, but they took 13 minutes before Patrick Reichelt added one.

Laos kept the scoreline at 0-2 for 16 minutes until a penalty by Gallardo put his team up by three entering the intermission.

Gallardo started the second half with a 51st minute spot kick conversion, but that started a four-goal show in 21 minutes to help Ceres finally pull away.

Carlie De Murga entered the scoring barrage with a 74th minute close range goal, but it came at a price as he appeared to have injured his leg after the strike.

Orman Okunaiya scored Ceres' ninth goal in the 81st minute even as Gallardo capped his six-goal night two minutes later.

Late substitute Stephan Schrock capped the win with his goal at the death.

Ceres moved up to third place with 21 points, just three points behind provisional league leader Loyola, which won earlier Thursday against Pasargad, and idle Global.

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