Phil Younghusband fires hat trick as Loyola rips Pachanga

Phil Younghusband regained his scoring touch as Loyola Meralco whipped Pachanga Diliman, 5-2, Wednesday night in the United Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Deployed as an attacking midfielder for most of the season, Younghusband summoned his old fiery form up front for a hat trick as the Sparks tied Kaya and Global on points with 28.

Brad Grayson and Adam Mitter were also on the scoresheet for the Sparks who notched back-to-back wins to keep their slim title hopes alive.

Hamed Hajimehdi scored in the fourth minute to give Pachanga the lead, before Younghusband equalized nine minutes later. Younghusband added another goal in the 26th minute only for Stephen Permanes to equalize.

But the Sparks scored three goals in the second half to put away Pachanga.

Kaya downed Manila Jeepney, 4-1, in the earlier kickoff.

Tishan Hanley, Jovin Bedic, Diego Barrera and Christian Ayew were on target as Kaya survived an early scare when Nicholas Ferrer fired home from close range to give Manila Jeepney the lead in the sixth minute.

The wins of Kaya and Loyola will hardly matter for leader Ceres La Salle, which can clinch the title with a draw against Team Socceroo tomorrow.

Ceres, with 37 points, only needs a point from its remaining three matches to claim the first division crown and an AFC Cup berth next year.