Stallion Laguna plays FC Meralco to a draw in PFL

Matches today (Davao del Norte Sports Complex) 4 p.m. – Davao Aguilas vs Ilocos United (Rizal Memorial Stadium) 7 p.m. – Global Cebu vs JPV Marikina

Stallion Laguna FC frustrated FC Meralco Manila on Manila Day, holding the host Sparks to a 1-1 draw in the Philippine Football League (PFL) last night at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Sub Jhan Melliza, getting a nice feed from Fitch Arboleda, delivered the equalizer at the 60th minute as the Stallions offset the first-half penalty of Phil Younghusband to salvage the point.

The Stallions improved to three points while the Sparks remained on top with 17 points.

“We made a key adjustment in the second half, we eliminated Phil Younghusband and pressed Meralco higher, knowing their fitness level is going down,” said coach Richard Leyble.

Laguna came out of the half-time break prolonged by a 30-minute suspension due to heavy rain and lightning with more energy and resolve, creating more scoring chances than the fading Sparks.

“After dominating the first half, we were really dominated by Stallion in the second half. We had limited scoring opportunities in the second half,” said Meralco coach Aris Caslib.

He cited the team’s travel weariness from the grueling schedule that saw Meralco play in Makati, Davao and now Manila in a week’s time and the absence of the injured James Younghusband as the reason for the second half fade.

It was the second straight draw for Manila, which also settled for a 2-2 tie with Davao last Wednesday.