Meralco Manila leaned on a balanced attack to thump home side Stallion Laguna, 5-1, and score a historic first victory, while Kaya FC Makati held powerhouse Ceres Negros to a 1-1 stalemate in the season opener of the Philippines Football League last Saturday.
Five players found the back of the net for Manila, including the leagueās first ever goal scorer in Curt Dizon, as the Big City side flaunted its lethal attack at Binan Football Stadium.
Dizon opened the scoring in the ninth minute, before Ryota Ishikawa equalized for Stallion in the 30th minute.
MeralcoāsTahj Minniecon restored the lead in the 36th minute, Milan Nikolic heading home off a set piece two minutes after halftime and James and Phil Younghusband adding a goal each in the second half.
āItās important for the club to win the first match,ā said Meralco coach Aris Caslib. āThe players responded well to our game plan and stood up to the challenge.ā
Over at University of Makati Stadium, it was the Busmen who took the lead through Iain Ramsayās finish from a tight angle at the stroke of halftime, but the hosts salvaged the point thanks to Marwin Angelesā late strike.
Released by Omid Nazariās well weighted pass, Ramsay beat Zach Banzon with a shot to the bottom corner.
The Busmen thought they had doubled the lead in the 61st minute when Nazariās free kick looked to have crossed the line after bouncing off the underside of the post.
Ceres was left to rue the opportunity eight minutes later when the substitute Angeles rifled home a shot from close range after the Busmen failed to clear their lines.
Kaya coach Noel Marcaida expressed delight over Angelesā impact in the match that gifted his side a precious point.
āThat one point (against a team like Ceres) is very important to the morale of the team,ā said Marcaida. āMarwin was a very influential sub along with Eric (Giganto). They made a big difference.ā
Ramsay believes the Busmen showed character in picking up a point just three days after a tough away win against Singapore side Tampines Rovers in the AFC Cup.
āItās always nice to score a goal but I would have been happy with the three points,ā said Ramsay. āBut we had a tough schedule and to play today, we had to show character and thats exactly what we did.ā