MANILA, Philippines –Loyola Meralco bounced back in emphatic fashion even as Green Archers United snapped a four-match winless run in the United Football League with a pulsating 3-2 triumph over Kaya Tuesday night at Emperador Stadium in Taguig.
Australian midfielder Jesse Martindale gave the Archers only their second victory of the season with a fabulous long-range strike in the 85th minute which his coach hopes will signal the turnaround the struggling side has been waiting for this season.
“I think this is one of the best games we’ve played,” said Archers coach Rodolfo Alicante whose side remained seventh with 10 points.
The Sparks prevailed over Pasargad, 5-0, earlier.
Phil Younghusband banged home two goals, while Freddy Gonzalez, Matthew Hartmann and Jake Morallo were also on target for the Sparks, who extended their lead over Global at the top to four points.
It was a resounding response from the Sparks, who shrugged off a flat start in rebounding from a 2-3 defeat to Global last Saturday.
Tating Pasilan opened the scoring in the 38th minute after a clever ball behind the Kaya defense, but the Archers skipper was stretchered off shortly after following a collision with keeper Nick O’ Donnell.