STALLION put a dent on Ceres-La Salle’s title retention bid after fighting back from two goals down to force a 2-2 draw on Wednesday in the United Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Terrence Linatoc struck four minutes from time on the counterattack as Stallion completed its remarkable comeback, after goals from Patrick Reichelt and Adrian Gallardo put Ceres in front at halftime.
Fitch Arboleda rifled home a shot from just inside the box in the 71st minute to give Stallion a lifeline, setting the stage for Linatoc’s heroics.
While Stallion remained in sixth with 22 points from 13 matches, the draw could prove costly for Ceres in its title pursuit as the Bacolod-based side slipped to third spot with 29 points.
Loyola Meralco moved one point clear of Ceres at second spot with an 11-1 drubbing of 10-man Laos in the first match.
Jorrel Aristorenas bagged his first UFL hattrick, while James Younghusband, Alvaro Castiella and Jason de Jong knocked in two goals each for the Sparks.
Anton del Rosario and John Kanayama also found the back of the net for Loyola, but it was Aristorenas’ three goal binge in five minutes that stood out in the one-sided clash.
Patrick Franksonn accounted for Laos’ lone goal in the match in the 42nd minute.
The UFL league champions are flying to Singapore today for their Singapore Cup semifinal match against Tampines Rovers starting Sunday.