Cebu forces United City FC to draw in PFL

Originally published by Panay News Online

Dynamic Herb-Cebu dragged defending champions United City Football Club to a 1-1 stalemate in the 2022-2023 Philippines Football League season over the weekend at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

JB Borlongan converted a goal in the final minutes of the game as the Cebuano booters netted its first point of the season to move up to fifth place in the standings after two matches.

Prior to that, both teams ended the first 45 minutes scoreless before United City’s Mark Hartmann broke the deadlock with his header off a Simen Lyngbo cross in the 70th minute.

Borlongan, a former standout of University of the Philippines, was able to tie the score at the 88th minute after his teammate Mert Altinöz was brought down at the edge of the box by United City’s Amirbek Juraboev.

With the result, United City FC slid down to second place in the standings with seven points, on two wins and a draw, just behind the nine points on three wins of Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo.

In the other match, the Azkals Development Team heated up in the second half to score a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Maharlika Manila Football Club and finally barge into the win column.

Andres Aldeguer, Chester Tom, veteran Stephan Schrock and Chester Pabualan converted a goal each as the national men’s football team improved to three points after two matches.

The Azkals managed to seize the lead in the 21st minute with Aldeguer latching on a failed clearance by Maharlika Manila’s Lawrence Baguio to score past goalie Vinci Valdez from a tight angle.

The Azkals made it 2-0 early in the second half as Dominic Tom tapped the ball home on the rebound after Valdez initially saved Pabualan’s free kick in the 50th minute.

Schrock added to the advantage four minutes later when he unleashed a strong shot off his left foot before Pabualan provided the finishing touches with a free kick in the 68th minute.