Adrian Gallardo scored eight goals as defending champion Ceres-La Salle gave retiring defender Juani Guirado a fitting sendoff by smothering Pasargad, 16-0, on Saturday in the United Football League at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Spanish striker found the back of the net in the 7th, 30th, 52nd, 59th, 61st, 66th, 87th and 88th minutes to power the Bacolod-based side to its third straight victory and climb to a three-way tie for second to fifth with Kaya, JP Voltes and Loyola Meralco Sparks at nine points apiece.
National team star Stephan Schrock produced a hat trick, Patrick Reichelt and Carli de Murga each struck twice while Guirado also scored in his final game for the club after announcing his retirement from competitive football earlier this week.
Guirado, the 36-year-old Fil-Spaniard, initially announced his retirement from international football last March.
Loyola also notched its third victory with a 4-0 victory over Green Archers United. The Sparks got an early gift with an own goal from Ronnie Aguisanda before James Younghusband, Joaco Canas and Jinggoy Valmayor scored.
Earlier, MSA Agila beat Laos, 1-0, for its first victory of the season. Agila moved to eighth place in the 12-team league with four points.
Meanwhile, league leader Global and Kaya were playing at presstime with the former eyeing its fifth straight win.