MANILA, Philippines—Reigning champion Air Force Phoenix finally nailed its first win by edging Navy Red Juice, 2-1, Saturday in the United Football League at the University of Makati field.
National team striker Ian Araneta scored both goals as Air Force took maximum points for the first time this season after two losses and a draw.
Later, Stallion dropped points for the first time this season after a scoreless draw with Pasargad.
Stallion was nowhere near the team that streaked to three straight emphatic wins to start the season as it struggled to break down a defense-minded Pasargad squad.
Pasargad, reduced to 10 men in the second half, also needed the heroics of goalkeeper Abdollah Golkhah to stay in the game.
In-form striker Ruben Doctora came close to scoring in the first half, but was foiled by an inspired Golkhah from close range.
“If we played this bad and still come away with a draw, I’ll take it,” said Stallion manager Ernie Nierras.
Stallion dropped to second with 10 points, although it has played one game less than leader Loyola Meralco, which downed Kaya, 2-0, also on Saturday night.
Air Force moved up to seventh spot with four points, while Navy remained at the bottom with just a point to show in four matches.
The Airmen bucked the absence of influential striker Chieffy Caligdong, who sustained a knee injury in the 2-2 draw against Philippine Army.
Araneta stepped up in his absence, summoning the form that made him one of the country’s most feared marksmen.
The 29-year-old striker fired home from close range after a pass from Peter Jaugan two minutes after the restart.
Surgeant Montillano set up Araneta’s second marker in the 58th minute of the thrilling match.
“We needed this win [to boost] our confidence,” said Araneta, one of the national team’s senior members who was the squad’s leading scorer last season with eight goals.
Air Force came into the game reeling from losses to Kaya and Stallion and a draw against Army, where it wasted a two-goal lead.