Filipino international Phil Younghusband scored two goals and assisted on another as Loyola Meralco crushed 10-man Pachanga Diliman, 4-1, Tuesday night to wrest second spot in the United Football league at Emperador Stadium in Taguig.
After setting up the opener for Korean winger Byeong Jeong Yeol in the 14th minute, Younghusband knocked in two quickfire goals three minutes apart in the second half as the Sparks moved ahead of Global with 25 points and trimmed the gap with idle Stallion to just two points.
Later, Kaya and Green Archers United fought to a thrilling 3-3 draw in what could go down as one of the most entertaining matches of the season.
Kaya hauled itself back into the game after trailing 1-2, as Chris Greatwich scored his second goal—a spectacular bicycle kick inside the six-yard box in the 89th minute—for what looked like the game-winner.
But Gabby Oloweyeye was quick to follow up Arnie Pasinabo’s 40-yard free kick that bounced off the bar in the first minute of stoppage time for the equalizer, dealing Kaya’s faint title hopes another blow.
Mark Hartmann also got on the scoresheet for the Sparks to maintain his lead in the UFL scoring charts with his 12th goal of the season in the 64th minute.