UNION Internacional Manila came from behind to nip Cimarron, 4-3, Saturday night at Emperador Stadium in Taguig and secure second place with a game to spare in the United Football League second division.
A week after getting held to a scoreless draw by last-placed Manila All Japan, Union delivered a relentless effort after falling behind early, knocking in four goals in a 28-minute span to put Cimarron away.
Ebenezee Owuso struck twice, while Simon Bayembg and Ali Mahmoud also got on the scoresheet for UIM, which jacked up its tally to 31 points for the season.
The four-goal explosion proved enough cushion for UIM, which survived Cimarron’s late surge, including Bismark Frimpong’s 88th-minute strike.
The No. 2 finish earned UIM a playoff for the last spot in the second division against Army, the last-placed team in the first division.
Army bowed to Pachanga, 1-2, in the only first-division clash.
Team Socceroo already clinched the second division title after winning its first 12 matches of the season.
The second-division champion will take the spot of Air Force in the top flight next season. The Airmen finished last in a stunning decline from last season’s fifth-place finish.