Uesato strikes as JPV trips Ilocos

Japanese striker Takumi Uesato scored his sixth goal of the season as JPV Marikina slipped past Ilocos United,
2-1, Wednesday night to move within a point off leader Meralco Manila in the Philippines Football League.

Uesato, who delivered the first hat trick in league history in a 4-0 win over Stallion Laguna, doubled the lead for JPV in the eighth minute as the Marikina side picked up its fourth straight victory at Quirino Stadium in Vigan.

Alen Angeles got on the scoresheet in the fourth minute to set the tone for JPV’s strong start, before Chima Uzoka pulled a goal back for the home side, which fell to its fifth straight defeat.

Ilocos is languishing at the bottom of the table with just one point from six matches.

The Sparks dropped points for the first time this season after battling Davao Aguilas to a thrilling 2-2 stalemate at Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum City.

Australian winger Tahj Minniecon scored the quickest goal in league history when he pounced on a scramble inside the box in the second minute, before Phil Younghusband made it 2-0 in the 12th minute.

But just when the Sparks looked to cruise to victory, Davao’s Serbian defender Milos Krstic pulled a goal back midway in the first half before Filipino-Belgian Dylan De Bruycker equalized in the 73rd minute.