UFL Division 1 Saturday

UFL Div 1 Saturday


CERES-LA SALLE BATTLES LOYOLA TO START 2ND ROUND
MATCHES SATURDAY
(Rizal Memorial Stadium)
5:15 p.m. - Pachanga Diliman vs Green Archers
7:45 p.m. - Ceres La Salle vs Loyola Meralco
Ceres-La Salle battles Loyola Meralco Saturday night in what promises to be an explosive clash to start the second round of the UFL League Competition at Rizal Memorial Stadiuam.
Three points clear of Stallion with 24 points, the Bacolod-based side are gunning for a ninth win of the season in the 7:45 p.m. clash with the Sparks.
The two teams battled to a thrilling battle in the first round with Ceres coming out on top, 5-2, thanks to an Adrian Gallardo hattrick.
A victory by the Sparks could open up the title race once more. The Sparks sit fifth with 19 points heading into the match.
With their title aspirations hanging in the balance, the Sparks will be looking to go all-out, although they will miss top scorer Phil Younghusband.
The striker will serve a suspension after picking up two yellow cards in the 3-3 draw with Kaya at the end of the first round. Anthony Putrus Schnell will also be sidelined for the Sparks due to accumulated yellow cards.
In contrast, the Busmen will be at full strength as the likes of Manny Ott, Patrick Reichelt, Juani Guirado and Martin Steuble are back in the squad, after the quartet played in the Azkals' first two games of World Cup Qualifying.
The Sparks beefed up their lineup during the transfer window last month, signing British striker Brad Grayson, Napo Bustillo, goalkeeper Saba Garmaroudi, returnee Jake Morallo, and young prospect Alvin Sarmiento. Loyola also picked up Curt Dizon as part of the deal that sent Matthew Hartmann to Global.
“What’s really nice, going through the squad, we now have two very good players in every position, which is something we’ve been after for awhile," said Sparks coach Simon McMenemy.
Green Archers looks to close in on the leaders when it collides with struggling Pachanga Diliman in the 5:15 p.m. kickoff.
The Archers have 11 points so far on three wins and a couple of draws. But Pachanga which has won just two matches this season can trim the gap between them and Archers to a single point with a victory.
Pachanga will be looking to carry the momentum of its strong first round finish against the Archers, who came out on top, 3-1, in their first round clash.

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