Global regains top spot; Stallion keeps pace

MANILA, Philippines – Global regained the top spot in the United Football League while Stallion-Sta. Lucia kept pace with the defending champions as they booked separate victories on Thursday night at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill, Taguig.

Global welcomed new acquisition Jason de Jong with a 2-nil victory over the stubborn Air Force in the nightcap after Stallion dispatched last season’s second division champion Pachanga-Diliman, 3-1, in the curtain-raiser.

It was not the welcome party they envisioned for De Jong, who was loaned by Stallion to Global to help the reigning league champions in their coming campaign in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s Cup later this year, as the Airmen parked the bus.

Not until the final 15 minutes of the second half did the Global unlock the air-tight Air Force defense with a header coming from Jeffrey Christiaens.

Delon Patrick Yao doubled Global’s lead six minutes later to seal the team’s sixth straight win to get back on top with 18 points.

Not to be outdone are De Jong’s former team Stallion as it got one goal each from Lee Joo Young, Reuben “Balut” Doctora, Jr. and tournament scoring leader Rufo Sanchez in drubbing Pachanga-Diliman, 3-1.

Young (30’) and Doctora (39’) put Stallion on top with a 2-0 lead at the break before Sanchez hiked his league-leading record to seven goals in the 82^nd minute.

Jason Cunliffe was the lone scorer for Pachanga as he pulled one back int he 70^th minute.

Stallion also earned their 18^th point but trails Global on goal difference to keep the solo second spot.

The Airmen remained winless in five outings while Pachanga was stuck at sixth place with six points.