MANILA, Philippines - Reigning League and Cup champion Air Force Phoenix FC fought Green Archers United FC to a 1-1 standoff to keep its flickering title-retention bid alive in the First Division of the United Football League at the University of Makati field in Makati City.
Falling to a 0-1 deficit early following a Christian Floriano Pasilan Jr. goal on the seventh minute, Yanti Barsales came out with an answer by unloading a goal for himself 21 minutes later that proved enough for the Airmen to salvage a draw.
Air Force thus earned a point from the deadlock that pushed its total to 12 points on three wins and the same number of draws and losses, which were good enough to fortify its grip of the fifth spot.
Global FC leads the way with 24 points followed by Loyola Meralco Sparks at No. 2 with 22 points and Kaya FC at No. 3 with 21 points.
Stallion Gilligan’s FC is at distant No. 4 with 15 points although it had a chance to close the great divide even further had it not got victimized by self-destruction in a 2-2 draw with Nomads Auction Manila.
Going on attack mode early following a pair of goals by Reuben Doctora Jr. and Korean Lee Joo Young in a span of two minutes starting on the 15th, Stallion was suprisingly stalled by the stingy defense put up by Nomads.
Toullec Loic struck with a goal on the 28th minute to go into halftime with Nomads trailing by just one.
Fidelis Nnabuife then came to Nomads’ rescue with an equalizing goal on the 78th minute to escape with the tie.
Green Archers United remained at No. 8 with eight points.
Over at the Nomads Sports Club in Parañaque City, Sunken Garden United FC and Manila All-Japan FC and Union Internacional Manila and Dolphins United FC all wound up with scoreless draws in Second Division action.