Stallion Laguna FC proved its mettle after snapping Davao Aguilas-UMak FC’s unbeaten record after a 4-0 win in Saturday’s Copa Paulino Alcantara 2023 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
New signing Yuta Nomura scored a hat-trick in the win, which was punctuated by a late Abraham Placito free kick for the horsemen, who have won their second game in Group C.
The Japanese forward drew first blood in the seventh minute after showcasing his skill with the ball ending it with a volley past Kenneth Guballo.
Nomura added a second in the 29th minute after a neat link-up play with Juan Galeana-Trujillo inside the penalty area.
Davao Aguilas tried to answer back on numerous occasions, but chances from Yannick Tuason and Marvin Angeles did not result in a goal.
Nomura added a third goal in the 74th minute completing his hat-trick with a volleyed effort off a pass from Kouichi Belgira .
Placito added the cherry on top with the fourth goal, off low a free kick that crept past the defense in the 94th minute.
Kaya FC-Iloilo notched its third straight win in Group A after dispatching Philippine Air Force FC with a 9-1 win.
The reigning PFL champions saw three players in Daizo Horikoshi, Abou Sy, and Jarvey Gayoso all score a brace while Arnel Amita, Ricardo Sendra, and Justin Baas adding to the goal tally to go nine points in Group A, behind Club de Futbol Manila by just one point.
The other Group C match saw Mendiola FC claim a slim 1-0 win over Philippine Army FC. Jel Jel Sison scored the marginal goal for Mendiola in the 78th minute for their first win of the cup.