MANILA, Philippines - Global FC takes on also-ran Loyola Meralco Sparks FC tonight, needing just a draw to nail the First Division League championship in the United Football League at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Global booters are currently leading the way with 41 points on 13 victories and two deadlocks against two defeats and a draw in their 8 p.m. duel with the Sparks will give them the division crown.
But Loyola is likewise expected to go all-out to spoil Global’s bid and end its season on a winning note after bowing out of the title race with back-to-back losses last week.
The Sparks are currently at No. 3 with an 11-3-3 (win-draw-loss) record and will finish not worse than third regardless of the result of their final match.
Kaya FC, just behind Global FC with 39 points on a 12-3-2 slate, also shoots for a crucial win against Stallion Gilligan’s FC in their 6 p.m. encounter and hopes for a Loyola victory to snatch the crown.
Meanwhile, Pasargad dumped Army Fritz and Macziol FC, 6-3, and Navy Red Juice drew with Green Archers United Globe, 2-2, in non-bearing matches Monday night at the University of Makati field in Makati City.
Playing against a 10-man Army side following a 75th minute ejection of Relan Bretaña due to two yellow cards, Pasargad scored four goals, including a hat trick by Mohammed Ohadi on the 83rd, 88th and 89th minute to turn a 2-3 deficit into a rousing victory, their seventh against three standoffs and eight setbacks for No. 5 with 24 points.
The Archers likewise relied on second half rockets by Christian Floriano Pasilan Jr. and Jesus Joaquin Melliza to force a 2-2 draw.