Phil bags 10th goal as Meralco XI wrests lead

GOLDEN Boot awardee Phil Younghusband resumes his fine act in the UFL. THE KATHMANDU POST

PICKING UP from where he left off in the AFC Challenge Cup, national team striker Phil Younghusband notched his United Football League-leading 10th goal of the season to fuel Loyola Meralco’s 5-0 rout of Nomads Auction Manila Sunday night at the University of Makati pitch.

Younghusband, the Golden Boot winner with six goals in the AFC tournament in Nepal last week, struck from close range in the 38th minute as the Sparks climbed to the top, ahead of Global and Kaya on goal difference, with their sixth victory in seven matches.

Later, an improved Green Archers United proved too sharp for struggling Navy Red Juice  with Floriano Pasilan banging in four goals in the 5-0 win to jack up his season tally to six.

Pasilan, the national team left winger from San Carlos City, formed a formidable attacking trio with newcomer Jesus Melliza and ex-national Arnie Pasinabo.

Archers moved up to sixth with their second straight victory for seven points, ahead of Pasargad and Air Force on goal difference, while Navy remained winless in eight matches, where it has already given up 38 goals.

Melliza, the UAAP Season 74 top scorer from Far Eastern U who was picked up during the transfer window, scored on his UFL debut, using his pace to beat two defenders before slotting the ball past Benito Rosalia two minutes into the match.

Another flowing move involving Pasinabo and Melliza ended with Pasilan finding the back of the net to make it 2-0 just 10 minutes into the match, before the fleet-footed striker grabbed his second with a cool finish in the 35th minute.

Pasilan grabbed his hat-trick in the 56th minute, benefiting from Melliza’s work on the right flank, before capping his heroics with a brilliant individual finish two minutes into injury time.

Goalkeeper Patrick Deyto also showed plenty of promise in his UFL debut, coming through with a couple of reflex saves in Green Archers’ first shutout victory of the season.