MANILA, Philippines—A glittering display of attacking football propelled Ceres La Salle past a hapless Philippine Army squad, 8-0, Tuesday night that extended its unbeaten start to three matches in the United Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Gallardo delivered a hat-trick while Nate Burkey got the Ceres attack clicking early on as the reigning FA League Cup winners coasted to their second win in three days.
Ceres also blanked Pachanga Diliman, 3-0, thanks to goals from Patrick Reichelt, Manny Ott and Angelo Marasigan last Sunday night.
The win also pushed Ceres to second spot in the table with nine points, ahead of Kaya, Stallion and Loyola Meralco on goal difference.
Jason Panhay opened the scoring in the first minute but Ceres had to wait until the 32nd minute to double the lead when Jeff Christiaens’ lob over the keeper found the back of the net.
Gallardo got the first of his three goals with a header in the 36th minute before Burkey fired two quick goals sandwiched by another Gallardo strike for a 6-0 lead at halftime.
Burkey then set up Gallardo in the 79th minute for the Spanish striker’s third goal that wrapped up the scoring.