United City leaned on a balanced attack as it produced a dominant 4-1 win over the Philippine Air Force in the second of the Sunday tripleheaders at the Rizal Memorial.
Four different players were on the scoresheet for gaffer Mark Francisco, with most of the action beginning towards the end of the first half. Ivan Ouano put UCFC ahead in the 40th minute, finding the right place at the right time. His initial tap-in from the six-yard box hit the upright, but the bounce came back to his head to open the scoring. But Jan Delariarte levelled the match right at the halftime mark with a flying header, but in stoppage time, John Bankole gave UCFC the upper hand after beating Zaldy Abraham with his header from a corner. UCFC then tacked on two more in a three-minute stretch in the second half, where former PAF man Chester Gio Pabualan (67’) and substitute Ariel Ngueukam (70’) made sure of their second straight win for the season, enough to remain in fifth place. The goal by Delariarte was vital for the Airmen as it still remained on top of second-bottom Loyola on goal difference, despite losing for the third time in a row.
Philippine Air Force: Abraham (GK), Macasinag (Mauring 85’), Jan Delariarte, Albor © (Bulaquina 38’), Obero, Belgira (Busmion 73’), Bebanco, Jed Delariarte, Lestingio (Estampador 73’ (Guevarra 85’)), Poderoso, Velasco
United City: Silva (GK) ©, Forrosuelo, Bankole, Menzi (Clariño 63’), Nurhidayat, Sendra (Aspiras 81’), Angeles (Hartmann 46’), Bugas, Dizon (Limbo 10’), Pabualan, Ouano (Ngueukam 46’)
