CERES-LA Salle turned an expected dogfight into a rout as it blanked Kaya FC, 5-0, to lurk behind pacesetting Global FC in the United Football League on Sunday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Adrian Gallardo struck a brace in the first half, while Patrick Reichelt, Manny Ott, and Bien Marañon added a goal apiece to steer the Busmen to the unexpected blowout in a marquee matchup between the two clubs that represented the country in the recent Asian Football Confederation Cup.
As a result, Ceres climbed to second spot with 24 points, the same as Loyola Meralco, but with still a game on hand, while Kaya was left stuck in the middle of the 12-team pack in sixth place with 15 points in nine matches.
Gallardo unlocked the defense with a penalty conversion 10 minutes into the match before completing his two-goal effort in the 37th minute. Reichelt, Ott, and Marañon then registered their respective goals after intermission.
Kaya missed the offensive punch of star striker OJ Porteria, who recently announced his departure from the squad.
The Sparks allowed the Busmen to supplant them in the standings after absorbing a 2-1 setback at the hands of JP Voltes, which solidified its hold on fourth spot with 22 points after 10 matches.
In other match in the tripleheader, Laos FC picked up only its second win in 10 matches, an 8-3 decision of Nomads to its victim six points, although the latter has played one match less.