Favorites Ceres La Salle and Loyola Meralco romped to lopsided victories over their second division foes Saturday night to reach the quarterfinals of the United Football League Cup at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Powered by a Bien Maranon hat trick, Ceres overwhelmed UST FC, 7-0, while the defending champion Sparks whipped Mendiola FC, 5-0, in another Round of 16 encounter.
Lee Jeong-woo bagged a brace while Patrick Reichelt also found the back of the net for the newly crowned first division champion Ceres side which faces the winner between Green Archers and Agila in the next round.
Anthony Putrus Schnell and Graham Caygill scored two goals each while Brad Grayson was also on the scoresheet as Loyola advanced to face Manila Jeepney in the last eight.
Ceres is seeking to pull off a league and Cup double—a feat achieved by Stallion two years ago. The Bacolod side has actually ruled the last two UFL tournaments starting with the FA League Cup in October last year.
The Sparks, who finished third in the league, are raring to take the second AFC Cup spot which will be awarded to the UFL Cup champion. Ceres has already qualified to the AFC Cup after ruling the league competition last month.