Photo by Fritz Dalida
MANILA—National team standout Chieffy Caligdong scored twice and set up another to lead Air Force Rider to a 6-0 romp over Army Fritz and Macziol IBM Sunday night and within a point of clinching the United Football League title at the University of Makati pitch.
Caligdong delivered through a brilliant effort in the 29th minute and added a delicate lob over reserve Army keeper Joshua Singson in the 61st minute after providing the cross that allowed Reymark Palmes to open the scoring 12 minutes into the game.
With Global Smarmatic ending a run of five draws by nipping Kaya Cignal, 1-0, earlier Air Force restored its cushion with a dominant performance over its Armed Forces rival in the league backed by LBC.
Yanti Barsales was also on target for Air Force to jack up his scoring tally to a league-leading eighth goal, before Randy Bela-ong and Aubrey Amatorio completed the rout with goals in the last 10 minutes.
Global kept its title hopes alive, thanks to a 90th-minute strike from Aaron Altiche, who banged in the winner after Saba Sadeghi only managed to parry William Guerridon’s curling effort.
Managed by Dan Palami, Global needs a win over Navy on Wednesday and another victory against the defending champions on Sunday to tie Air Force.
Air Force, however, still has a better goal difference with 24, nine better than Global.
In the first game, Loyola Meralco Sparks posted only their third win of the season, drawing a hat-trick from Mark Hartmann in a 4-1 triumph over Navy.