Basketball
UFL Week 7: Kaya, Global move up
AKTV/Toto Gamboa
This weekend only saw two matches in the first division, and for the first time in quite a long while there weren’t surprises to shock the fans.
Saturday had Kaya and Philippine Army Fritz and Macziol bumping heads, and as many expected, it was coach Juan Cutillas’ side that walked away with the victory. Eric Dagroh was on the score sheet for the second straight game, scoring just two minutes after midfielder Masanari Omura had opened the festivities on the 33rd minute.
The win keeps Kaya squarely in the title picture, level on points with leader Loyola Meralco Sparks with 15 points, but just behind on goal difference.
Global was in action the day after with an opportunity to solidify its place amongst the leaders of the First Division before the lengthy national team break. And with struggling Philppine Navy Red Juice the opponents for the afternoon, it was the perfect occasion for Dan Palami’s side to end their club duties on a positive note.
The Navy men had managed just one point in six games entering the match, and they were immediately in trouble when Azkal Misagh Bahadoran scored in the first minute of action. It would get worse shortly before half-time, with Juan Luis Guirado making the most an opportunity after a free-kick from Izo Elhabbib to score his first goal in the UFL.
It was the perfect first period for Global who had recently lost coach Graeme MacKinnon, who resigned after their impressive 1-0 win over Stallion Gilligans. A fifteen-minute spell after the break would give Global more to smile about, with Elhabbib netting a brace and Bahadoran adding one more to his tally for the day.
Izo reopened the scoring on the 58th minute with a well-taken free-kick, while Bahadoran, not to be out down, scored a magnificent goal for his team’s fourth. Dispossessing Peter Fadrigalan in Global’s half, the quick-footed attacker decided to go solo, dribbling all the way through the Navy defense to score his second in style.
Elhabbib would wrap up the result five minutes later from close range, ensuring his side go into the break level on points with Loyola, but having played one game more.
It’s quite a wait before Division One action resumes, but the top players of the UFL will still be in action for the national team. With 18 of the 27 players registered for the Malaysia friendly on Wednesday plying their trade in the league, the competition’s fans will not be completely without their UFL fix. For those still searching for club drama, the close tussle between Pachanga and Diliman Victory Liner in Division Two is proving to be a real interesting duel.
Josue Jamlang covers football for InterAKTV and announces matches for AKTV on IBC. He served as an assistant technical director for the UFL during its maiden season. Follow him on Twitter for more football discussion.
