Davao gets draw with Mendiola at Copa Alcantara

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Veteran Marvin Angeles scored near the death to help Davao Aguilas salvage a thrilling 3-3 draw with Philippines Football League side Mendiola FC 1991 to shore up its bid to reach the knockout stage of the Copa Paulino Alcantara on Saturday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Angeles struck the equalizer in stoppage time as Davao forced the Bravemen, playing their first cup match, to share the spoil after a rugged encounter that kept the non-PFL side on top of Group G with 10 points in four matches.

Yannick Tuason scored twice for the Aguilas to move on top of the lead in the race for the Golden Boot award.

Mendiola appeared to be on the verge of taking the full three points when Elijhone Rasonable made it 3-2 in the 84th, until Angeles delivered four minutes into stoppage time.

Manila Digger also held a PFL club to a stalemate after splitting a point with Maharlika-Manila, 1-1, in the first game of the tripleheader.

Jhon Azores’ 39th minute goal put Manila Digger ahead but Maharlika pulled one back past the hour mark courtesy of Ibrahima Ndour to prevent the latter from suffering a shock defeat in its Group B debut.

Both results nearly overshadowed Kaya-Iloilo’s 7-0 drubbing of Loyola FC in a one-sided Group A match between former rivals in the defunct United Football League.

Fitch Arboleda had a brace while new additions Ricky Sendra, Justin Baas, Abou Sy and Mark Swainston also scored in the first match of the PFL champion’s bid to win a record-extending third Copa title.

Loyola ended the group stage with four points on one win, one draw and three defeats, dimming its chances of sneaking a spot in the quarterfinals.

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