Makati regains PFL pole despite stalemate with Laguna

By Kevin Estrada

BIÑAN--Kaya Makati and Stallion Laguna share the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate that put the former back in the pole of the PFL table in Sunday's lone fixture here in the latter's home ground.

Noel Marcaida's men ended July streaking, getting unbeaten for the seventh straight match, but will have to end their five-game winning run here after a tough tussle, good enough to take the lead from Meralco Manila on goal difference.

Ernest Nierras will rue their chances as well, as they also saw their three-match winning run snapped but still never lost in their last five matches.

Both sides had their golden opportunities to go ahead in the first half and failed as they take the dressing rooms with a scoreless standoff in a virtually fast-paced equal game.

Gabriele Mascazzini's header was denied by Ref Cuaresma in the 32nd minute and a minute after that, Robert Lopez-Mendy's curler beat Benito Rosalia but it clanked the outside of the far post.

In the second half, striker Jordan Mintah haunted his former club by heading the ball into the net for the opener in the 50th minute.

However, the points were split just four minutes later when substitute Dan Villarico equalized with a rebound shot after Jhanjhan Melliza's initial shot was stopped by Cuaresma.

Tensions flared later on when Joven Bedic and Ruben Doctora exchanged slaps after a harsh challenged, which resulted to bookings for the pair.

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