BUENOS AIRES, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Ramon Abila netted a first-half brace as Boca Juniors beat Newell's Old Boys 3-1 on Sunday to extend their lead at the top of the Superliga Argentina standings to six points.

Abila struck twice in the space of 11 minutes before Hector Fertoli pulled a goal back for the visitors on the stoke of halftime.

Cristian Pavon scored Boca's third goal just before the hour mark, cutting in from the left after a counterattack and then lashing a powerful shot into the top right corner.

Meanwhile River Plate kept alive their slim hopes of a top-five finish with a 3-0 victory at Arsenal de Sarandi.

Exequiel Palacios and Juan Quintero scored first-half goals for the visitors who also had an own goal from Claudio Corvalan.

With three rounds remaining in the season, River are five points behind fifth-placed Huracan, who occupy the last Copa Libertadores qualification place.

In other matches on Sunday, Racing Club beat Rosario Central 2-0, Union and Atletico Tucuman played out a goalless draw and Huracan overcame Tigre 2-0.