Manila Digger had to dig deep into their reserves and return to their winning form after beating Tuloy by the odd goal in five at Rizal Memorial last Sunday evening.
The Backhoe Booters saw their two-goal cushion evaporate in no time in a crazy comeback attempt, but they came through just in time to take all three points for gaffer Pong Liman.
Earl Piñero made the case for the fastest goal of the season, tapping home the rebound off a Daiki Jahana effort 101 seconds after the opening kick-off.
The Japanese midfielder made amends eventually, five minutes into the restart with one of the sublime strikes of the campaign. Coming from a Darwin Regala long throw, Jahana took masterful control of Jeong Sang-Chon’s header and fired a low volley past MJ Antillo.
However, that strike by Jahana ironically kickstarted a rally from the Alabang Young Boys, as they hit back 72 seconds later when substitute Syron Saut volleyed past Yuya Kuriyama off a John Jalique cross from the right wing.
Tuloy then cheekily equalized in the 58th minute. Their short corner from the left side saw Jalique pick out an unmarked Jasten Lupango, who made no mistake in slotting home the cross with his right foot.
The gritty action from both clubs saw them miss their chances to go in front until veteran forward Ashley Flores came through with an 86th-minute winner, slotting home a diving header off a Regala cross after coming onside over Jhon Henson Diaz.
TULOY: Antillo (GK), Grizola, De Gracia, C. Saut, Nuñez ©, Lupango (Sajor 73’), Diaz (Demate 90+1’), Uracoy (S. Saut 46’), Capistrano, Jalique, Villanueva
MANILA DIGGER: Kuriyama (GK), Barsanilla (Marfiga 46’), Ashley, SC Jeon, Dalam (Flores 33’), Salifu, Crestal, Regala, Piñero, Jahana, MK Shin ©
