In the clash of the 2022-2023 Philippines Football league’s top two teams, United City dug deep to clinch a 2-0 victory over Kaya-Iloilo, Saturday evening, at the PFF Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
United City came to life in the second half after a stalemate ensued in the first 45 minutes.
Pocholo Bugas, the former UAAP juniors standout for Far Eastern University-Diliman, broke the deadlock with a fine finish in the 57th minute off an assist by Amirbek Juraboev.
Late in the contest, United City was able to double its advantage thanks to some fortuitous circumstances.
United City forward Mark Hartmann unleashed a free kick within his team’s half. Kaya goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad then failed to handle it well, which allowed Pika Minegishi to score into an open net in the 86th minute.
The result means that United City executed Kaya-Iloilo’s first loss in the season to trim its lead in the standings.
The defending champions remain in 2nd place with 13 points on the back of four wins and one draw.
On the other hand, the 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara winners are still in first place with 15 points behind five wins and one loss.
