Gadia delivers for Cebu FC

MANILA, Philippines — Midfielder Daniel Gadia made up for his absence in the previous game with a stunning late goal as Dynamic Herb Cebu FC turned back Azkals Development Team, 2-1, last Saturday in the Philippines Football League (PFL) presented by Qatar Airways at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

After serving his suspension in a 1-1 draw against Stallion Laguna last week, Gadia scored the winning goal in the 70th minute as the Gentle Giants improved to 31 points, five points off leader Kaya FC-Iloilo, which has played one more game than Cebu.

“I was challenged by our captain kuya Jason (Cordova) to score a goal so I just tried,” Gadia, from the University of the Philippines, said.

Cebu took the lead in the 20th minute with Rintaro Hama firing from close range after Leaford Allen’s effort bounced off the crossbar.

But ADT leveled just moments into the second half with Oliver Bias teeing up youth standout Gavin Muens inside the area.

That goal set up a thrilling finish with Gadia, who was sent off in the 3-2 win over Kaya in Iloilo three weeks ago, producing a smart finish at the near post to beat goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad and sending Cebu to its ninth victory of the season.

Bias had one last opportunity to tie the game but his free kick went inches wide, allowing Cebu to escape with the victory. ADT remained in fourth spot with 21 points on six wins, three draws and five defeats.