FC Meralco blanks Kaya, keeps lead

Games today (Biñan Stadium)

4 p.m. – Stallion Laguna vs Davao Aguilas

(Quirino Stadium)

7 p.m. – Ilocos United vs Global Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - FC Meralco Manila sustained its charge and nipped 10-man Kaya FC-Makati, 2-0, to keep the lead in the Philippine Football League yesterday at University of Makati field.

Joaco Canas (43’) and skipper Phil Younghusband (66’) provided the offensive lift as the Sparks got the better of their rivals in the so-called Metro Manila derby and posted their fifth consecutive win.

JPV Marikina supplanted Kaya from the No. 2 position after dropping the axe on Ceres Negros FC in the other game over at Rizal Memorial, 2-1. Marikina hiked its card to 12 points, two clear of Kaya’s 10.

Canas headed in an excellent throw-in from Tyler Matas to put Meralco ahead near the end of the first half.  

Manila got the golden opportunity to double the lead when it was awarded a penalty and Kaya’s Jordan Mintah was sent off defending a set piece. Younghusband took the spot kick and expertly sent it past Kaya keeper Zach Banzon.

One-man up, the Sparks conjured a couple more scoring opportunities but failed to pull through against a side that continued to fight despite the disadvantage.

“Tough match. Kaya also wanted to win so it all boiled down to concentration and total team effort,” said Manila coach Aris Caslib.

“I can say breaks went Meralco’s way,” said Kaya mentor Noel Marcaida. “We were one man down but we still managed to give a good fight and get some chances.”

Takumi Uesato (57’) and J. Baguioro (79’) gave Marikina a 2-0 cushion and held on to complete the upset against the Busmen, who got on the scoresheet via Bienvenido Maranon’s 83rd minute finish.

Ceres suffered its first loss in three games and remained stuck with four points in fifth.