MANILA, Philippines – Loyola Meralco streaked to its second straight victory with a 5-1 whipping of Philippine Army-General Trias International Saturday night in the United Football League at Emperador Stadium.
Phil Younghusband struck twice to raise his tally to three goals this season, while Fred Gonzalez, Samuel Bonney and Lee Hwon-yung also found the back of the net as the Sparks delivered a big follow-up to their 4-0 conquest of Global in their season opener.
Younghusband opened the scoring in the 25th minute with an instinctive strike off a clever ball from Matthew Hartmann, before completing the rout with a well-taken free kick four minutes from time, keeping the Sparks on top of the table with six points.
Army, which barely survived the relegation battle, remained stuck at three points just like Global, which finally got its season on track with a 2-1 nipping of 10-man Kaya in the second match.
Defenders Charles Pettys and Val Kama scored 12 minutes apart in the opening half as Global rallied from a goal down to notch its first win of the season.
OJ Porteria gave Kaya the lead three minutes into the match with an indirect free kick after Global goalkeeper Paolo Pascual inexplicably handled a back pass inside the box.
Porteria looked to have made it 2-0 in the 13th minute, but his goal was disallowed for a deliberate handball. Worse, he was sent off for the infraction.