Manila Digger, with just over a year of experience on the top-flight scene, emerged as the surprise leader of the Philippines Football League (PFL) entering the international break after dominating Maharlika Taguig, 5-1, recently at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Man of the Match Modou Manneh and fellow Gambian Saikou Ceesay scored two goals apiece to power the Diggers into the top of the table with 12 points on four victories in five matches, a big step for the club which is only in its third major competition.

The Diggers debuted in last year’s Copa Paulino Alcantara, where they were booted out in the group stage and placed seventh out of a record 15-team field in its PFL debut last season.

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Ceesay and another Gambian in Ousman Gai scored in the first four minutes to propel Manila Digger to go up by two in the standings over defending two-time champion Kaya-Iloilo, One Taguig and Dynamic Herb Cebu.

Kaya posted twin wins over erstwhile leader Stallion Laguna, 5-1, and Loyola FC, 3-2, that all came after defeating Hong Kong’s Eastern Sports Club in the AFC Champions League Two last week.

Davao Aguilas-University of Makati edged Stallion, 1-0, handing its foe a second straight defeat after three consecutive victories.