MANILA, Philippines - Nomads Auction Manila relied on Phil Connolly and Steve Borrill as it scored a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the Green Archers United FC to keep its hopes alive in the First Division of the United Football League at the University of Makati field in Makati City.
Conolly and Borrill each came through with a goal to turn a 0-1 deficit into a key victory that lifted Nomads from joint eighth place with Pasargad FC to joint sixth with reigning League and Cup champion Air Force Phoenix with eight points apiece.
Jesus Joaquin Melliza scored on a penalty to give the early lead for Green Archers United FC, which dropped from No. 7 to No. 8.
Navy Red Juice likewise rallied with a pair of late goals to edge Pasargad FC, 2-1, and nail its first victory after seven losses and a draw.
Bibi Pascual opened up scoring for the Pasargad booters on the 38th minute and managed to preserve their lead until Miki Ajah Emaka was tossed out after he was slapped a red card on the 67th minute.
The Navymen held their ground in the next 10 minutes despite playing with only 10 men but after Rolly Perez knocked in a goal on the 77th that knotted the count at 1-1, Jose Alfie Caminos scored another goal that proved enough to lift Navy to victory.
Global FC leads the field with 21 points, followed by Loyola Meralco Sparks with 19, Kaya FC, 18, Stallion Gilligan’s FC with 14 and Army Fritz & Macziol with nine points.
Meanwhile, Stallion Gilligan’s FC and Army Fritz & Macziol fought to a scoreless draw with the former hiking its total to 14 points, just four points behind No. 3 Kaya FC and the latter improving with nine points.
In Second Division action, Cebu Queen City United FC walloped Lions Meltique Beef FC, 4-1, to remain at No. 3 with 25 points and inch closer to No. 1 Pachanga FC (31 points) and Diliman Victory Liner FC (29 points).