Stallion Giligan's tramples Navy; Nomads wins

MANILA, Philippines – Stallion Giligan's FC leaned on a hat trick by Korean striker Lee Joo Young as it overpowered a rough-playing Philippine Navy Red Juice side, 6-0, to seize the early lead in the United Football League competition at the University of the Makati pitch today.

With Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta in attendance, winger Yoon Byeong Jun opened up the scoring with a scrambling goal inside the box just nine minutes into the game. Lee then came through with three straight goals on the 33rd, 50th and 75th to put the game away.

Midfielder Park Bo Bae, now plying his trade here after postponing his retirement from the Korean division one league, and substitute Jimmy Vergara, Jr. joined the scoring parade with goals on the 77th and 84th minute, respectively, to complete the carnage.

It was spectacular Division One debut for the Iloilo-based Stallion, which tied opening day winners LBC-backed Kaya FC and Loyola Meralco Sparks at the helm but seized the top spot on goal differential thanks their six goals.

Kaya FC, mentored by locally based Spanish Juan Cutillas, set in motion its title bid by stunning reigning League and Cup champion Air Force, 1-0, while the Sparks, spearheaded by Phil and James Younghusband, escaped with 3-2 win over a stubborn Hans Smith-coached Green Archers United.

"Maybe they should change the top four teams and include us in that list," said Stallion manager Ernest Nierras, referring to experts' prediction that the title race will be a four-cornered fight among Loyola, Air Force, Global FC and Kaya FC.

Stallion, making its first-ever appearance in Division One after lurking for so long in the lower division, will have a chance to enhance its dark horse status as it takes on two of those fancied squads – Air Force Phoenix on Jan. 22 at the UMak and Loyola on Jan. 28 at the Rizal pitch.

"We like our roles as underdogs but those two games are going to be exciting and we know it will serve as gauge on how we're going to fare in this league," said Nierras.


Navy, seeking to make a good account of itself, was just no match to Stallion's excellent passing and ball-handling and it didn't help that Gerald Orcullo was slapped a red card for a dangerous tackle on Yoon on the 30th minute.

"We wanted them to press and when they did, we let the ball move. It’s basically one-touch football," said Nierras. "It also helped that we finished the game with 11 players compared before when we couldn’t."

In the nightcap, Nomads Auction Manila FC edged Pasagrad FC, 3-2, to likewise jumpstart its campaign.

philstar