Caligdong rockets send Archers to Div. 1

MANILA, Philippines - Green Archers United FC rode on Azkals standout Chieffy Caligdong’s back as it waylaid PSG FC, 3-0, to assure its place in the First Division of the United Football League at the McKinley Hill grounds in Taguig Saturday night.

Caligdong set the tone for the big win with a 32nd minute rocket that sparked a telling three-goal blitz in the first half to help seal it for the Archers, who improved to solo sixth with 17 points on five wins and two draws against eight setbacks.

Inspired by Caligdong’s brilliant goal, Jesus Joaquin Melliza and Christian Floriano Pasilan Jr. struck with a goal apiece in a span of only three minutes starting on the 42nd to give the Archers a 3-0 lead at halftime.

Green Archers United never scored from there but it shut down PSG FC the rest of the second half to send the latter from joint sixth to solo seventh with 14 points on four triumphs and two deadlocks against nine setbacks.

In Second Division action, Ebenexer Owusu scored a pair of late goals to lift Union Intrenacional Manila to a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Agila FC and seize a share of second place with its recent victim.

Down one goal to two, Owusu came through with clutch goals in just an eighth-minute span starting on the 81st to power Union to joint second with Agila on 24 points apiece on seven wins and three standoffs against two defeats.

Ivan Meilan gave Union an early 1-0 lead with a brilliant 11th-minute rocket but Agila knotted it five minutes later thanks to a goal by Dexter Versario.

Paolo Gabriel Alilam then shattered the standoff as he drilled in a 71st minute blast that sent the Agila booters into frantic celebration as they seized a 2-1 advantage.

In the only other match, Manila All-Japan and Phl Navy FC fought to a scoreless draw.