Ceres nips Loyola, nears title sweep

MANILA, Philippines - Ceres-La Salle FC closed in on a sweep of the United Football League (UFL) crowns this season as it advanced to the UFL Cup finals with a 1-0 disposal of holder Loyola Meralco Sparks in Tuesday night’s semifinals at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Nigerian-born Irishman Orman Okuinaya blasted the game-winner from the edge of the box in the 70th minute as the reigning League titlist Busmen ended the Sparks’ reign and forged a championship duel with Kaya FC, which rallied from two goals down to score a 5-4 victory on penalties over Stallion in their own semis stint.

Ceres and top seed Kaya will dispute the Cup tomorrow night.  

The Bacolod-based Ceres booters controlled possession for long periods, forcing the Sparks to drop deep on defense, and eventually broke through as  Okuinaya found space to fire a left-footer past Tomas Trigo.

Brad Grayson got the chance to force extra time for Loyola Meralco but Louie Casas was there to foil him with a diving save.