Shorthanded Loyola Sparks look to reclaim UFL lead in match vs Stallions

By Karlo Sacamos

LOYOLA Meralco hopes its generosity to another team won’t prove too costly for its own title aspirations when it squares off with Stallion FC hoping to reclaim the United Football League lead on Thursday night at the Emperador Stadium.
A day after Global FC supplanted them from the top spot, the Sparks, now two points behind the new leaders, have sent substitute goalkeeper Ref Cuaresma and winger Jake Morallo on loan to Division 2 title contender Manila Jeepney.
Sparks coach Vince Santos on Wednesday confirmed the development on the eve of their 7:30 p.m. affair with the defending champion Stallions.
Stuck on the Sparks bench for playing behind African standout Baba Sampana, Cuaresma tries to finally get playing time along with Morallo in Jeepney, which is just five points behind leader Ceres La-Salle
The move, though, leaves the Sparks shorthanded as they will also be without defender PJ Fadrigalan, who was sent off with a straight red card after a scuffle with striker Tating Pasilan in their 1-2 loss to fifth-running Green Archers United last Saturday.
The Sparks defeated the Stallions, 3-1, in the first round, but will be facing a rejigged side that hopes to bounce back from a 1-1 stalemate against Pachanga also last Saturday.
Earlier, the Archers try to sustain their resurgence as they face Division 1 rookie Socceroo at 5:15 p.m.

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