UFL: Kaya settles for draw with Stallion XI

KAYA salvaged a 1-all draw with Stallion Wednesday night in a highly physical duel and remained in third spot in the United Football League at the University of Makati.

Bidding to tie league leader Global on points, Kaya couldn’t gain ground against a spirited Stallion side that was only denied by maximum points when Saba Garmaroudi saved Ruben Doctora’s injury-time penalty.

Kaya midfielder Okoro Ubiam canceled out Jomar Lestiongo’s 35th minute strike four minutes before halftime in a replay of their first-round clash that was halted because of lightning.

Stallion drew first blood on the counter with Doctora beating Anton and Arman del Rosario to deliver a cross for Lestingio.

But Ubiam leveled the match by bundling home a headed pass from Jason Sabio from close range.

Stallion had three glorious chances in the second half with its best opportunity coming in stoppage time when Doctora was fouled by Garmaroudi inside the box.

But the Stallion captain could only send his penalty straight at Garmaroudi, paving the way for the draw.

Stallion manager Ernie Nierras said the draw felt more like a loss.

“We had the game with that late penalty,” he said. “It was our mistake we missed the penalty. We lost it in the end.”

The result left Kaya in third spot, level on points with Loyola Meralco, but behind on goal difference. Stallion increased its total to 22 points, tightening its grip on fourth spot.