Draw with Kaya side hikes Sparks output; Pachanga wins

MANILA, Philippines - Loyola Meralco Sparks survived a gritty Kaya FC side as it escaped with a scoreless draw to remain on top of heap at the close of the first round elims in the First Division of the United Football League at the Emperador Stadium Tuesday night.

OJ Porteria missed a couple of chances for the LBC-bankrolled Kaya booters, enabling the Sparks to clinch another point to hike their total to 20 points, four ahead of Global and Kaya, which tote 16 points apiece.

The 19-year-old Porteria, formerly a DC United Youth standout, barged into the Loyola box on the 60th minute but his strike was challenged by centerback Yves Ashime and later saved by goalie Baba Sampana.

Porteria sneaked through Loyola’s defense again 15 minutes later and earned a penalty from Simon Greatwich but whose shot was thwarted by Sampana.

“I thought we were the better side. We clearly out possessed the opposition,” said Kaya coach David Perkovic. “I was happy with our performance. I would’ve loved a goal, don’t get me wrong, but the next time we play them, I know who’s going to be confident – me and our boys.”

With three minutes remaining, Phil Younghusband had a chance to snatch the win for Loyola but his free-kick hit the crossbar.

Worse, Younghusband was assessed a red card right after the final whistle for unsavory comments he made against the referee. He will sit out their next match because of the mandatory one-game suspension.

“We’ll take it. We’re missing a lot of players, we had to make do with certain players playing in unfamiliar positions,” said Loyola mentor Vince Santos, who missed the services of a number of top players, including backliner Joaco Canas. “Considering what we had, I think we’re okay with a point.”

In the only other match, Pachanga PLDT Fibr leaned on a match-clinching goal of Nate Burkey as it trounced Green Archers United Globe, 1-0, to move to solo fifth with nine points, two shy of reigning League champion Stallion FC with 11.