Cup holder Loyola rips Jeepney; Stallion wins

Defending champion Loyola Meralco and Stallion turned back their respective foes with ease Saturday night to complete the semifinal cast of the United Football League Cup at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Sparks came up with a 3-0 romp over Manila Jeepney before Stallion avenged its quarterfinal loss to Pachanga Diliman in the same stage last season with a 5-0 drubbing.

With the win, Loyola forged an intriguing semifinal duel with reigning league champion Ceres La Salle, which overwhelmed Green Archers, 5-0, in the quarterfinals last Friday. The Sparks had lost twice to the Bacolod side in the league competition.

Phil Younghusband starred for the Sparks, opening the scoring in the first half and creating numerous opportunities for Loyola.

Defenders Joaco Canas and Anton del Rosario also found the back of the net as the Sparks sustained their fine form. Jeepney took a more conservative approach while hoping to catch Loyola on the counterattack, but the ploy hardly worked as the Sparks knocked the ball around with confidence.

Stallion skipper Ruben Doctora struck twice to match Jordan Mintah’s output while Fitch Arboleda was also on target for coach Ernie Nierras’ side which faces Kaya in the other semifinal duel.

Pachanga quickly found itself on the backfoot when Doctora slotted home the opening goal after just seven minutes. Stallion entered halftime with a 4-0 lead as Doctora bagged his second from close range before setting up Arboleda and Mintah late in the first half.