Kaya kicks out Loyola; Stallion up

SENEGALESE striker Robert Lopez Mendy found the back of the net just before stoppage time to lift Kaya past Loyola Meralco, 2-1, Saturday and into the semifinals of the United Football League Cup at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Atoning for a series of misses in the first half, Mendy beat Spanish defender Joaco Canas at the edge of the box before firing low past Tommy Trigo in the 90th minute to complete the Kaya comeback.

James Younghusband gave the Sparks the lead seven minutes before halftime with a glancing header past Matthew Acton, but Masanari Omura leveled the match at 1-1 with a 73rd-minute header off a corner kick.

With the win that also set up a duel with the winner of the Ceres-Forza clash last night, Kaya stayed in the hunt for back-to-back titles.

Stallion also pulled off a narrow 3-2 victory over a Green Archers side inspired by former national team star Chieffy Caligdong.

Simone Rota, Balot Doctora and Fitch Arboleda scored for Stallion, before goalkeeper Ref Cuaresma came up with a series of spectacular saves to preserve the victory.

Stallion next faces the winner between Global and JP Voltes.