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United City FC (UCFC) were to be crowned champions regardless of the result, but rival Kaya FC refused to let them celebrate without leaving a stain on their otherwise perfect campaign.
Kaya scored a pair of first-half goals to give UCFC their only loss, 2-1, in the shortened 2020 Philippine Football League season on Monday night at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite. .
Playing against a rotated UCFC first XI, Kaya did his best in hopes of breaking the champions’ perfect record. Kaya’s aggressive approach paid off in the 15th minute after Kenshiro Daniels hit a low shot off a cross led by Eric Giganto from the right flank.
Kaya doubled his lead in the 38th minute after former Trinidad and Tobago international Carlyle Mitchell headed into a corner to make it 2-0.
The halftime break saw UCFC make a number of changes, practically rotating into their strongest XI for the second half. Despite increased pressure from the champions, Kaya’s bottom line refused to break for most of the contest.
Kaya’s defense finally broke after Bienvenido Marañón played a ball into the middle to find Manny Ott, who hit the ball past the goalkeeper in the 83rd minute to make it 2-1. UCFC’s late goal would prove to be his consolation after Kaya held his ground in the final minutes of the game.
The result finally did not influence, since the title was decided on the previous day.
ADT closes the season in a big way, Mendiola surpasses Maharlika
In the first matches, Azkals Development Team (ADT) and Mendiola FC 1991 achieved victories over Stallion Laguna FC and Maharlika Manila FC, respectively.
Second-half goals from Carlo Dorin and Jarvey Gayoso were enough to beat Stallion, 2-0. Yrick Gallantes had a hand on both goals, hitting Dorin’s opening shot over the line before winning Gayoso’s penalty.
A goal on either side of the break put Mendiola over Maharlika Manila. Aaron Altiche saw his wicked cannon shot off the bar and across the line, but the ball rebounded and the goal was not awarded. Luckily for Mendiola, Jon Nebreja was close to head the rebound to the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Mendiola finished the job in the final minute of the second half after Jim Ashley Flores hit an incisive ball from Stephen Appiah to seal the shutout 2-0.
Mendiola and Stallion Laguna will play the final game of the 2020 PFL season on Thursday at the same venue.
