Green Archers played the spoilers’ role to the hilt as they dealt Kaya’s title hopes a massive blow with a 2-0 triumph Tuesday night in the United Football League at Emperador Stadium in Taguig.
Robert Lopez Mendy scored in each half for the Archers who pounced on an erratic Kaya side missing key players Masa Omura and Richard Greer due to injuries.
The win solidified Green Archers hold of fifth spot with 30 points, five behind fourth-running Stallion, which dumped Team Socceroo, 2-0, in an earlier match.
Kaya’s loss left David Perkovic’s side seven points behind Global despite playing one more match.
Global, which has 47 points from 19 games, only needs to win two of its remaining five matches, including against Army today, to clinch its second league title in three years.
Loyola Meralco, which tangles with Pachanga tonight, also has a slim chance in the title race with 40 points from 20 matches.
Selu Lozano and Joevic Albino struck for Stallion which missed national team standout Ruben Doctora due to an injury he picked up in the AFC Challenge Cup. Another Azkal, Simone Rota, played in the second half for Stallion, helping preserve the advantage.
Kaya welcomed Azkals Anton del Rosario, OJ Porteria, Chris Greatwich and Kenshiro Daniels to the side which needed to sweep its remaining games to stay in the title race.
Patrick Deyto proved equal to Kaya’s early forays before Lopez struck in the 35th minute to put Archers in front.