Loyola Meralco seeks to stay in the fight for second place when it battles Stallion in both teams’ final game of the United Football League season at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Trailing Ceres-La Salle by a single point in the race for the second AFC Cup berth, the Sparks have no recourse but to pick up maximum points against a dangerous Stallion side in the 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Loyola remained in contention heading into the final week of the season after turning back rival Kaya, 2-0, on goals from Phil Younghusband and Joaco Canas last Saturday.
But the Busmen regained the upper hand in the battle for second after their 5-0 demolition of newly-minted champion Global last Sunday.
A draw against Stallion will hand the Busmen second place even before they face JP Voltes to cap the season on Sunday.
A Loyola win puts pressure on Ceres to beat Voltes in the last game of the tournament because a loss by the Busmen will give the Sparks second spot.
Stallion beat Green Archers United, 3-1, last Sunday, with Ruben Doctora, Park Bo Bae, and Fitch Arboleda all on the scoresheet.
Coach Ernie Nierras’ side will finish in sixth place regardless of the result today.
Kaya hopes to end a disappointing season with a win as it faces Forza at 5 p.m.