Loyola Meralco, Global rekindle rivalry in UFL semis

Matches Tuesday

(Rizal Memorial pitch)

4:45 p.m. – Global vs Loyola

8:15 p.m. – Ceres-La Salle vs Pachanga Diliman

MANILA, Philippines – Loyola Meralco and Global renew their rivalry even as emerging powers Ceres-La Salle Bacolod and Pachanga Diliman collide in a pair of semifinal matches of the Football Alliance League Cup at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium Tuesday.

Global is out to duplicate its victory over Loyola to clinch the League crown a few months ago when the two powerhouse clubs face off at 4:45 p.m.

“We expect to win every game, of course we’re confident. We’re looking forward to it. It’s exciting now, it’s the business end of the season,” said Global’s Scottish coach Leigh Manson.

For his part, Loyola mentor Simon McMenemy said he's looking forward to play Global.

“They know how to win. They’ve had a lot of success, so it’s going to be down to us to stop them. We’re keen and ready to go, we’re looking forward to it," said McMenemy, who steered the Phl Azkals team to a historic Suzuki Cup run four years ago that sparked football explosion in the country.

The Global-Loyola match will be aired at 8 p.m. Wednesday on Aksyon TV while the Ceres-Pachanga showdown will be aired live at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The other semis match pits a pair of fast-emerging clubs with Ceres topping the Second Division last season as well as the Smart National Club Championship in Bacolod City early in the year and Pachanga surprising everyone by barging into the UFL Cup finals.

The match is at 8:15 p.m.

“We’re very, very excited,” said Ceres manager Ali Go, who steered his club to a perfect 7-0 (win-loss) record, the only team to do so in the Cup.

“We’ve been waiting for this. We’re training so hard to win a championship. We will not stop until we are champions, he added.”

 Pachanga, for its part, hopes to have a chance to finally win a big one.

“This is a good opportunity for Pachanga Diliman to be a famous club if we win the game. I will try to work really hard with the players,” sad new Pachanga head coach Yuki Matsuda. “The players have great heart, so we will be ready.”