He also won his and the club's first league title in 1959, scoring one of the goals in the first leg of the Final.
[2] He still is one of Águila's all-time top goalscorers after forming a formidable frontline partnership in the 1960s with players like Juan Francisco Barraza and Saúl Molina.
After his playing career ended, Merlos coached Santiagueño and helped the team win the Primera division title.
In July 2010 he spent three months in hospital and had his right foot and later his leg below the knee amputated due to arteriosclerosis.
[4] To cover the medical expenses, former teammates and colleagues organised a charity match between his old clubs Águila and Santiagueño.