United City FC blitzed past Mendiola FC 1991, 6-0, Saturday night to gain the lead in the Philippines Football League at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Spanish striker Bienvenido Maranon returned to his goal-scoring ways by recording a hat trick as United City posted the most lopsided result at this point of the shortened fourth season backed by Qatar Airways.
Kaya-Iloilo survived the Azkals Development Team, 1-0, in the final match of the tripleheader behind Kenshiro Daniels’ first half goal.
Both UCFC and Kaya are leveled at six points apiece, with the club the formerly known as Ceres-Negros ahead on goal difference.
They are three points clear of Maharlika-Manila which earlier in the day stunned Stallion-Laguna 2-1.
Maranon produced all his goals in the first 25 minutes as United City was able to get a much-convincing win after defeating ADT, 1-0, last Wednesday.
“We definitely played better than our last game and I think that our rivals just gave up mentally after falling behind 4-0 in the first half,” said United City coach Frank Muescan.
Senegalese forward Robert Lopez produced a brace in the 38th and 60th while Mike Ott found the back of the net for the second time this season with a spot kick in the 52nd.
Daniels delivered the winner in the 16th before Kaya’s prevented ADT from salvaging a draw.