Pachanga, Socceroo battle to 2-2 draw

MANILA, Philippines – Pachanga PLDT Home Fibr blew a chance to post its first winning streak of the season after being held to a 2-2 draw by Team Socceroo in the First Division of the United Football League at the Emperador Stadium Thursday night.

Down by a goal in the early going, Ariel Zerudo and Jinggoy Valmayor struck with goals spanning just seven minutes starting on the 25th to give the PLDT Home Fibr-bankrolled side a 2-1 lead.

But Korean Lee Jeong Woo, who scored the match's first goal on the 15th minute, came through on the 69th to complete a double and send the match to a standstill as the two clubs couldn't score from there.

The draw earned Pachanga a point and a share of fifth spot with Army-General Trias International with 10 points apiece while Team Socceroo hiked its total to six, which was good for second to last.

"Credit to Socceroo, they played in full throttle," said Pachanga coach Noel Marcaida.

"We're happy with the result, but we could've won the game," Socceroo mentor Franklin Cacacho, for his part, said.

In the lone second division match, Ceres-La Salle Bacolod drew strength from Kim Jin Ho's hat-trick as it trounced Union International Manila, 4-2, to overtake Kaya-backed Manila Jeepney FC at the helm with 16 points.

Son Yong Chan provided the only other goal for Ceres, the reigning Smart-National Club champion now a point ahead of former leader Manila Jeepney FC.

"It's a good feeling. We haven't started too strong, losing one (Laos) and drawing another (Philippine Air Force). We're getting back on track. We're going to try our best to stay on top," said head coach Ali Go.

Shaiyan Jafari delivered the consolation brace for Union.

Meanwhile, the UFL First Division takes a brief break to give way for the Phl Azkals' matches against Malaysia and Azerbaijan before resuming on March 6.