Doctora, Arends key Stallion win

MANILA, Philippines - Stallion Gilligan’s leaned on Ruben Doctora and Milan Justin Arends’ goals in the second half as it downed Army-General Trias International, 2-0, to keep its title retention bid alive in the First Division of the United Football League at the Emperador Stadium Sunday night.

Doctora, 27, broke into GTI’s defense to shatter the scoreless deadlock on the 61st then Stallion fended off GTI’s series of counters to preserve the lead before Arends came through in extra time to seal the victory worth three points.

Stallion thus improved to 18 points although it continued to trail frontrunning Loyola Meralco Sparks with 29 points. Global FC is in second with 28 while the LBC-backed kaya FC has 21 points for third.

The win also put Stallion back on track after dropping a heartbreaking 3-4 setback to Team Socceroo Thursday.

Doctora, now back with the Phl Azkals, has now put in three goals in his team’s last four matches to lead the way in scoring.

In Second Division action, Air Force blanked Agila, 3-0, and Union Internacional Manila edged Nomads, 1-0, to boost their respective stocks.