Inspired Younghusband sizzles as Loyola seizes solo second

MANILA, Philippines -- Phil Younghusband led a big second half surge by Loyola Meralco to book a 4-1 victory over Pachanga Diliman Tuesday night at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill and helped the Sparks seized solo second in the United Football League. 

A day after his celebrity girlfriend Angel Locsin celebrated her birthday, an inspired Younghusband came away with a brace to move the Sparks nearer to the top of the league table. The Sparks now just trail league-leader Stallion-Sta. Lucia by just a single point, 26 to 27.

Younghusband's double came in succession that turned the close match into a one-sided affair. 

After he assisted Korean import Jeong Byeong Yeol in the 14th minute for a 1-nil Loyola Meralco advantage, Pachanga-Diliman was still in the match. But things turned sour for last season's second division champions when Ref Cuaresma saved a Jason Cunliffe penalty kick right before the halftime break.

Phil took over from there as the younger Younghusband connected in 52nd and 54th minute to give the Sparks a commanding 3-0 lead. Mark Hartmann, who fed Younghusband's second goal via header, added one more 10 minutes later to ice the contest. 

It was such a big hole that Pachanga couldn't climb out of it. They did manage to trim it down to 4-1 on OJ Clarino's goal 12 minutes before the injury time.  The loss hurt Pachanga's chances as they got stuck at fifth spot with 16 points on 5-1-5 win-draw-loss card. 

Younghusband's two-goal romp came after his four-goal outburst against the Phil. Army in their last win that enabled him to become the new league scoring leader with 12 goals. Hartmann is a close second with 11 while Stallion's Spanish recruit Rufo Sanchez trails the Sparks' 1-2 punch with nine. 

In the other match of the night, Green Archers United Globe leaned on Agbayami Olowoyeye's late goal to force a 3-3 draw against Kaya. (read related story here: http://www.philstar.com/sports/2013/04/24/934366/archers-spoil-kayas-greatwich-shot)