Japanese winger-turned-striker Yusuke Unoki delivered a hat trick of stunning goals as he propelled Davao Aguilas UMak FC to an emphatic 8-0 victory over Maharlika Taguig on a wet Sunday night at Rizal Memorial Stadium, just as the season nears its conclusion.
Known for his technical prowess, Unoki provided the cutting edge with two goals from direct free kicks and a spectacular curling shot, leading a charge that included five other different goal scorers as Davao celebrated their largest win of the season so far, closing in on the league’s top four.
This significant win, coupled with the return of captain Daisuke Sato, albeit from the bench, is expected to bolster Aguilas’ morale as they prepare to face the current league leaders, the seemingly invincible Kaya FC-Iloilo, in a match that could potentially decide the title on the penultimate matchday next weekend.
Davao made a blistering start, scoring three goals in six minutes. Unoki opened the floodgates in the 8th minute with a curled free kick from a tight angle near the corner, followed two minutes later by Ibrahima Ndour, playing on the left wing, who headed in a cross delivered by Ivorian Lancine Dosso.
OJ Clarino sealed the game in the 14th minute, slotting home a rebound off the crossbar to make it 3-0 in under 15 minutes.
As rain soaked the pitch, Davao reverted to a low block, which Maharlika tried to exploit through chances created by Gael Basana, only to be thwarted by Davao’s reliable goalkeeper, Dini Outtara.
Unoki extended the lead in the 34th minute with a curling left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty box, swerving past goalkeeper Christian Mendez to make it 4-0 just before halftime.
Birthday celebrant Jhomaray Sapal joined the goal fest in the 75th minute, finishing off a well-worked goal with a one-two pass from Kart Talaroc on the right side, beating the defense and slotting past the keeper to make it five. Talaroc then capitalized on a defensive error from Maharlika, punishing a miscued pass with a rocket into the roof of the net, stretching the lead to six.
With victory in sight, Davao coach Aber Ruzgal shuffled his lineup, handing goalkeeper Yosuke Suzuki his debut and notably reintroducing Davao stalwart Daisuke Sato after a two-game absence.
Meanwhile, frustrations mounted for the inconsistent Maharlika side, culminating in 18-year-old midfielder Viktor Nkoa receiving his second yellow card for a rash tackle on Jhomaray Sapal near the edge of the penalty area in the 87th minute, reducing them to ten men.
Unoki capitalized on the resulting free kick, firing a low shot past Mendez to complete his hat trick, while substitute Marvin Bricenio rubbed salt in Maharlika’s wounds with a tap-in from a corner routine deep into stoppage time, sealing the comprehensive victory for Davao.
Davao remains in fourth place with 29 points, trailing only on goal difference behind Stallion Laguna, keeping their slim title hopes alive, while Maharlika Taguig remain in ninth place.
