DAVAO Aguilas put an end to Meralco Manila’s string of wins in the Philippines Football League as it salvaged a 2-2 draw in an electrifying tussle at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex on Wednesday in Tagum City.
Dylan de Bruycker scored the equalizer in the 74th minute in the counter, putting in a well-placed pass by Gilmar Fernandez in the middle much to the delight of the home crowd.
Both had excellent chances to win the match late but the game ended with the two clubs settling for a well-deserved point after putting up a great showing.
It looked like Meralco was on its way to an early blowout when Tahj Minniecon scored an early screamer in the second minute before Phil Younghusband doubled the lead nine minutes later with a long range shot of his own.
The hosts however had other plans as Milos Krstic pulled one back, after beating everyone in the scramble inside the box.
That goal seem to have given the Aguilas a shot in the arm as they played aggressively from that point forward, setting up an exciting tussle between two teams on the opposite side of the table.
De Bruycker rewarded his club by fielding in the equalizing goal off a counter in the 74th minute.
Meralco had a chance to take all three points when it won a free kick from right at the tip of the box with a minute to spare in regular time, but Younghusband’s attempt hit the wall.
Davao also had their chance when Gilmar again had a good run up wide left, before sending the ball into the box to De Bruycker only for Ace Villanueva to parry away the attempt.
Meralco stayed on top but dropped points for the first time in six games as they improved to 16 points. Davao on the other hand improved to sixth place with three points.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
