Skipper Tating Pasilan struck four minutes from time as Green Archers United held fancied Kaya to a 1-1 draw Tuesday night in the United Football League Cup at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Nate Burkey gave Kaya the lead with a fifth minute-strike, but missed a host of chances that could have put the game away for his side in an enthralling Group B clash.
Pasilan equalized through an indirect free kick from 10 yards out after referee Rey Ritaga caught Kaya goalkeeper Saba Garmaroudi collecting a back pass from Nico Bolzico.
The Archers still needed a string of big saves from goalkeeper Patrick Deyto in the final minutes to rescue a point, even as Jess Melliza wasted a couple of chances late on.
The rain seemed to bring the best out of the two squads as they got off to lively starts with Kaya knocking the ball around with confidence and Green Archers looking threatening in the counterattack.
Meanwhile, UFL side Loyola Meralco takes on Singapore powerhouse Tampines Rovers in the first leg of their Singapore Cup semifinal clash Oct. 10 at the Clementi Stadium in Singapore.
Phil and James Younghusband will lead the Sparks against the S-League side.