Marikina squeaks past Davao Aguilas

Japanese striker Takumi Uesato headed home the insurance goal with six minutes remaining as JPV Marikina slipped past Davao Aguilas, 3-2, Sunday at Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum for its first victory in the Philippines Football League.

Left unmarked inside the box, Uesato beat Davao’s Serbian goalkeeper Marko Trkulja with a firm header off a corner kick to give the visitors enough cushion against a youthful Davao side that showed plenty of fight.

Takashi Odawara opened the scoring in the second minute, before Dylan De Bruycker equalized six minutes later for the Aguilas, who were making their home debut.

Boyet Canedo restored the advantage for JPV with a curling free kick in the 20th minute, but Marikina couldn’t add to the tally despite creating plenty of clear-cut chances until Uesato scored. —CEDELF P. TUPAS