Ceres-La Salle stuns Global, bags UFL title

MANILA, Philippines - Ceres-La Salle pulled off a shock 2-1 victory over fancied Global side to snare the season-opening UFL FA League Cup crown at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Thursday night.

Lightning-quick Kim Jin Ho came out firing right on the first minute as he headed home the first goal of the match before Spanish striker Adrian Gallardo made it a two-goal advantage after converting a close-range rocket on the 22nd minute.

Fil-Brit Mark Hartmann fired a goal from the outside off a superb Misagh Bahadoran cross as Global cut the deficit to one goal.

Fil-Spanish Juani Guirado was sent off after being assessed a second yellow card after a scuffle with Global goalie Patrick Deyto, leaving Ceres with 10 men.

But the Bacolod-based squad survived the Global onslaught, parrying every attempt, including one from Edgar Briones, one of the two goalscorers in their 2-1 semifinal win over Loyola Meralco Sparks last Tuesday, that Michael Casas denied in stoppage time to preserve the win.

It was Ceres’ third title since it was formed two years ago. It topped the Smart PFF Club Championship last year and copped the UFL Division II title early this year to earn Division I promotion.

Global, the Cup champion four seasons back, in contrast, was denied a third straight crown after grabbing the League plum and the Charity Cup title. 

Although Global was tipped to win it all, Ceres still found ways to pull the rug from under, the way it did in upending the former in their last three meetings, including two in the PFF Smart Club Championships.

Ceres has credited its success to its sound recruitment program, tabbing the likes of Patrick Reichelt, Carly de Murga, Manny Ott, Jeffrey Christiaens, Guardo and Jason Sabio.