Navy, Nomads booters pound out tough UFL victories

SUBSTITUTE Daniel Gonzales struck four minutes from time as Navy Red Juice rallied from a goal down to nip Pasargad, 2-1, Sunday night for its first United Football League win in two seasons at the University of Makati field.

Defender Rolly Perez equalized from the penalty spot for Navy in the 77th minute after a foul by Miki Ajah Emaka inside the box.

Emaka was also sent off for the infraction, leaving Pasargad, which took the lead in the 38th minute through Dibi Pascual, with only 10 men.

But Navy’s first win in nine matches this season couldn’t lift the Sailors, who have four points, out of the cellar.

If it’s any consolation, the Sailors moved within a point of Pasargad as the relegation battle shapes up near the end of the first round.

Nomads later ended a seven-match winless run with a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph over Green Archers United.

Steve Borril delivered what turned out to be the game-winner in the 70th minute as Nomads collected only their second victory of the season to climb to sixth spot with eight points.

Sustaining his superb form, Jess Melliza put Archers ahead at the stroke of halftime, but Nomads striker Phil Connolly restored parity with a 52nd-minute strike.

Archers saw their two-match win run end as they fell to eighth spot—still with seven points.

In another first-division clash, Stallion and Army battled to a scoreless draw.

The draw left Stallion, the tournament’s early leader, at 14 points—seven off No. 1 Global—as it dropped points for the third time in its last four matches.

Army, which needed a string of fine saves from Ed Sacapano to keep Stallion at bay, ended its first-round campaign with nine points after its third draw of the season.