Cebu spoils Maharlika Manila's homecoming to stay in PFL title race

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Dynamic Herb Cebu needed a comeback to stun Maharlika Manila in the latter's first PFL match at its official home, the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig, through a 2-1 win on Sunday night.

In the first top-division football match played at the said turf after nine years, the one who was there the last time it happened, David Basa, struck first for the host club, but Daniel Gadia, the hero in the Cebu's win last weekend against the Azkals Development Team, sparked the visitor's comeback this time.

Zachary Ford, who gave Maharlika Manila its very first win of the season also last weekend at Mendiola, found Basa wide open just inside the box when he took the corner, and the latter headed it in to put Maharlika Manila ahead in the 20th minute.

However, Gadia was found open during the throw-in, and he dashed to the box from the left flank and scored the equalizer in the 41st minute.

Ivan Ouano won it for Cebu as he took advantage of a passing error from Ben Diarra and left Spencer Galasa staggered with the 48th minute goal.

Maharlika Manila fizzled down the stretch as the club could not find a crack at the equalizer that could have broken Cebu's hearts again as far as the title race is concerned.

Cebu moved back to within eight points of Kaya Iloilo for the season championship with 34 points in 15 matches with a full round left to play and two matches at hand.

Maharlika Manila, on the other hand, failed to overtake Mendiola and remained at the bottom with four points.

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