CARLI De Murga (center) celebrates with Patrick Reichelt and Adrian Gallardo. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO / KC CRUZ
THERE WERE days when Carlie de Murga felt like quitting the sport. An unsuccessful surgery on his left knee and another procedure to correct the mistake brought him little hope early last year.
But De Murga persevered in rehab and worked his way back into shape in the last 11 months of 2015.
Exactly 458 days after his last competitive game, De Murga made a memorable return, scoring twice as Ceres-La Salle slipped past 10-man Loyola Meralco, 2-1, in the United Football League Cup before a huge Sunday night crowd at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Just when it looked like the two teams were ready to settle for a stalemate, the rightback headed home the winner off a corner kick in the third minute of stoppage time as Ceres picked up three points for a decisive edge in the tournament’s group of death.
Much of the pre-game hype was centered on new Ceres recruit Stephan Schrock, but it was De Murga’s emotional return that stole the limelight in the end as the brace came on his first outing since injuring his knee in the FA League Cup final against Global in Nov. 6, 2014.
“I feel great after a long time out of the field, exactly 458 days,” said the former national team player who was reduced to tears celebrating his first goal in the 35th minute. “It’s a dream come true just playing again.”
In other matches, Ghanaian striker Jordan Mintah struck in the first half to lift Stallion past defending champion Kaya, 1-0, while Green Archers survived a rough start to whip Nomads, 4-0.
New signings Lee Joo-young, Gary Epesso and Hussein Doust and Jimwel Arriola were on target for the Archers, who moved to second in Group B behind Global on goal difference.
Schrock started on the left wing opposite Loyola skipper James Younghusband. He immediately made an impact, testing Sparks goalkeeper Tommy Trigo twice early on. But a debut goal eluded Schrock.
Loyola missed the trio of Phil Younghusband, Simon Greatwich and Joaco Canas due to injuries.
Ceres took the lead in the 35th minute when De Murga bundled home Adrian Gallardo’s saved penalty that came after Sparks new signing Jason de Jong handled Bien Maranon’s cross.
The Sparks equalized in the 65th minute through Jinggoy Valmayor whose low drive was misjudged by Ceres goalkeeper Michael Casas.
Loyola lost its defensive anchor in the 87th minute when Adam Mitter was sent off with three minutes left for a heavy challenge on Patrick Reichelt.