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PFL: UCFC blanks Maharlika

Stephan Schrock
Stephan Schrock leads UCFC to its third straight Philippines Football League win.

UNITED City FC proved too much for newcomer Maharlika FC, 10-0, to vault on the top of the table Tuesday night in the Philippines Football League at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

Senegal’s Robert Lopez Mendy and OJ Porteria each produced a hat-trick, while Mike Ott scored twice as UCFC remained perfect with a maximum of nine points.

UCFC took the solo lead after erstwhile co-leader Kaya-Iloilo FC settled to a 1-1 stalemate with Stallion-Laguna FC in the earlier match.

Skipper Stephan Schrock and Spanish striker Bienve Marañon, also entered the scoresheet for UCFC, which hardly threatened.

Coach Frank Muescan believes that UCFC can still find another gear as it move closer in sealing the championship in the short six-team tournament.

We will increase our intensity further: the way we attack, the way we build up, the way we score and continue to go all the way against our last game against Kaya,” Muescan said.

The boys are really hungry for the title and we’ll just keep on going and score more goals. We won’t slow down for anyone.

With Stallion-Laguna and Kaya-Iloilo as UCFC’s remaining stumbling blocks for its first league championship, Schrock believes that the club will display its A-game in the bubble.

We still have much to give and more to spare. I believe that,” said Schrock.

Maharlika FC remained at three points and is now level with the Azkals Development Team.

Stallion-Laguna completed a successful turnaround in the second half, as Jhanjhan Meliza came through with the 80th minute equalizer to earn its first point of the season.

Kaya-Iloilo dropped to second place with seven points.

Melliza’s goal cancelled Kaya-Iloilo FC forward Joven Bedic’s strike from close range just 10 minutes into the match.

Stallion-Laguna worked harder in the second half, especially on their counterattacks,” said Kaya-Iloilo’s Japanese coach Yu Hoshide.

It was our turn to be outplayed,” he added.