LOYOLA Meralco bucked the dismissal of star striker Phil Younghusband to salvage a 3-3 stalemate with Kaya in an ill-tempered United Football League clash at Rizal Memorial Stadium Sunday night.
Anthony Putrus Schnell directed Lee Joo-young’s free kick into the back of the net in the 76th minute for the equalizer as the Sparks rescued a precious point.
The two teams went into the break tied at 2-2 after Kaya’s Louis Clark and OJ Porteria canceled out Younghusband’s opener and Lee’s 32nd-minute strike.
Younghusband was slapped with two quick yellow cards, reducing the Sparks to 10 men for the final hour of the game.
Reacting aggressively to a hit by Miguel Tanton on his brother, James, Younghusband was booked in the 28th minute. He was sent off two minutes later after he barged into Tanton with his head following a clumsy challenge.
Jovin Bedic looked to have clinched it for Kaya with his 62nd minute goal, but Schnell beat Nick O’Donnell at his near post.
The result meant that Kaya, Loyola and Global all finished the first round with 19 points.
Ceres-La Salle remained on top with 21 points ahead of Stallion due to goal difference. Global is in third ahead of both Kaya and Loyola on goal difference.
Pachanga Diliman posted its second win by dumping Philippine Army, 3-1, to rise to seventh.