MANILA, Philippines – Stallion Giligans mounted a second half comeback to eliminate the James Younghusband-led Loyola Meralco Sparks out of the UFL title race with a 3-1 victory Tuesday night at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hill, Taguig City.
The result mathematically booted out the UFL Cup champions from the title race, which could end on Thursday night with a Global win over Pachanga PLDT Home Fibr. In the earlier match, an early goal from Reymark Fernandez proved enough to hand Green Archers United Globe the victory over Team Socceroo.
Even without the injured Phil Younghusband, Loyola looked poised to continue their winning ways when James Younghusband glanced in a corner in the 12th minute. Stallion looked stunned in the first half, but came out after the break looking a completely different side.
Within three minutes into the second period, Junior Gaye linked up with the brilliant Belinga Blanchard to cut apart the Sparks defense and fire in the equalizer. Less than 10 minutes later, Blanchard embarked on an individual run, bypassing three defenders before smashing in his own rebounded strike.
Masood Shadideh headed in the third for Stallion in the closing stages to put the result beyond any doubt.
The defeat meant Loyola officially dropped out of the title race as the team trails league leaders Global by seven points with only two games remaining. Stallion, for its part, solidified its hold on fourth place, improving to 43 points, with an outside chance of leapfrogging Loyola into third place with two games remaining.
In the earlier match, Green Archers United Globe built on their win against Kaya with a victory over Team Socceroo. Fernandez's 27th minute conversion proving enough to get all three points.
On Thursday night, Global has the opportunity to clinch the 2014 League title with a win against Pachanga. The game will be preceded by the clash between Kaya and Pasargad.