IT TOOK 45 minutes for Ilocos United FC and Davao Aguilas Fc to heat up.
When they finally did, it sparked fireworks.
Ilocos scored a late penalty to salvage a point in its Philippine Football League (PFL) debut against the Aguilas in the President Quirino stadium in Ilocos.
John Kanayama scored from the spot for Ilocos in the 78th minute to negate Dylan de Bruycker's 50th minute opener.
It was a disastrous start for the hosts after seeing Davao get good chances in the firstl half when Nate Burkey made an impressive run up the middle before locating de Bruycker inside the box.
The 19-year-old Fil-Belgian then calmly sank the opener for the visitors, eluding several defenders along the way.
But just when Davao looked ready to take all three points, Angelo Marasigan won a penalty for the homeside after fishing a foul from Gerald Layumas inside the box.
Kanayama then made Marko Trkulja go the other way in the penalty to level the game at one apiece.
Gaining momentum, Ilocos had several more chances to steal the game but Davao goalkeeper Baba Sampana turned out to be a rock on the other end.
By splitting the points, Ilocos and Davao tied Kaya FC Makati and Ceres Negros FC in the middle of the table with a point apiece.
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.
