UFL clubs forge lopsided Smart football victories

BACOLOD CITY—United Football League sides Loyola Meralco, Pachanga Diliman and Green Archers Globe coasted to lopsided victories Saturday to reach the quarterfinals of the PFF Smart Club Championships.

The Sparks, drawing a hat trick from the returning Matthew Hartmann, overwhelmed Flame United of Cavite, 8-0, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, while Pachanga dumped Cebu Queen City, 3-1, at the Aboitiz Field in Cebu.

National team striker Phil Younghusband and SEA Games veteran Mark Hartmann also scored two goals each for the Sparks, who face another UFL powerhouse, Kaya, in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Green Archers, with national team skipper Chieffy Caligdong making his debut for the club, also showed sharp form in a 6-1 triumph over Romgarjal FC in Dapitan City.

UFL Cup quarterfinalist General Trias also advanced to the quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Baguio.

Three more round of 16 matches are on tap today with UFL Cup champion Stallion battling Bacolod side Ceres at the Panaad Stadium here. Reigning UFL league titlist Global tangles with Nomads at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, while Pasargad and Army collide in another all-UFL duel.