Marikina is still red hot as the Azkals break ensues. Ivan Saldajeno (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
BINAN--Aaron Altiche hit the dagger just before the final whistle as JPV Marikina stole a 2-1 win at Stallion Laguna at the Binan Football Stadium on Sunday night.
Altiche silenced everyone at the venue as his late strike that came with just 20 seconds left from fulltime kept Marikina perfect in the PFL season entering the FIFA international break.
Laguna got an early blunder as defenders Ko Kyung-Joon and Jason Cordova; and keeper Hayeson Pepito had a miscommunication while going for the ball clearance, leading to an eighth minute own goal that put Marikina ahead.
Yannick Tuason, however, made up for the early error as he put in the equalizer just before halftime as both sides settled for a 1-all deadlock at the break.
Just when everyone was already accepting the potential draw, Altiche got the ball off a deflection and struck it right past Pepito for the game-winner.
Marikina stays on top of the league table with the full six points out of two matches.
Laguna, on the other hand, fell to a tie with Cebu at the bottom with zero point and a minus-1 goal difference.
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