Inside The Striped Pitch

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#UAAP77Football Final Four: EXCITED?

The first of March has to be a great one for Philippine Football, as the much-anticipated Final Four of the UAAP will kick off with much hype and expectations. After 14 rounds of the league season spanning three months, there are only four remain in their quest to become kings of football: UP, FEU, Ateneo and La Salle.

How does this season's Final Four more exciting than the previous iterations of the Football postseason? There are three simple reasons why this season's Final Four could be the best ever in UAAP Football History:

Rizal Memorial Stadium. The national stadium is home to the most historic matches, whether might be the Azkals, the UFL or even college football. UAAP finds it fit to host the postseason to give impetus in playing in this great stadium. The prestige and privilege to play in Rizal was the reward for the four who survive the arduous march. With the convenience of the venue, as well as the news of free admission, there are expectations that the Final Four will be packed with people, at least in the grandstand. Much more for the first match, where La Salle is holding home field advantage against Ateneo, in arguably, the biggest ticket in all Philippine sports.

The Knockout Format. Finally, justice was served for Philippine Football when the UAAP introduces its single match format for the Final Four. Twice-to-beat and best of three, words commonly used in basketball and volleyball that was forced to football, became a thing of the past as the seeding of teams after eliminations were thrown out of the window. With the one-match knockout, all of the teams will leave everything on the pitch for more than3 hours, as a spot in the final awaits both winners on March 8. Finally, what we only see in the FA Cup will now become a reality.

The TV. With the Final Four becoming a single match affair, ABS-CBN Sports made it clear that there will be a live telecast on both matches, which means, there will be up to six hours of non-stop football. Yes, SIX HOURS of Pleasure and Pain of the beautiful game. It is a joy for those coming from the provinces wincing in agony over delayed telecasts. There are unconfirmed reports that even the Final of both Ladies and Men's football are also put on live telecast a week later. Excited? If yes, mark your calendars on March 1. Better be at RMS or at your television, grab the remote, and show your school pride. Because history will be made for Philippine football.

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PEACE, LITERALLY (WHY THE PFF GOT IT WRONG IN THE CODE OF CONDUCT?)

(After A Long Layoff, the Striped Pitch is back. Pardon for not updating it due to schedule mash-up.) So, the Azkals thrash Taiwan, 5-1 to reach the Peace Cup Final. We got the goals and we got the result that we needed. But something's missing. Especially those who watch the match on the Box. According to The Passionate Fan, it was the AWFUL ATTENDANCE. We can understand that match run right smack into the game of Gilas Pilipinas against Puerto Rico that is not in our control (Thanks to our Time zone from Manila to Andalusia). But the shocking here is that the bleachers of the Rizal Memorial are near to emptiness. There was PEACE in the Peace Cup. LITERALLY. Both the Kaholeros and Ultras Filipinas both point their palms on the CRAPPY Code of Conduct made by the Local Organizing Comittee, which you can read it here. Here is what I heard from them. (No Name-dropping for confidentiality purposes.)

For the Kaholeros, they were surprised that the BIG FLAG is not allowed to be unfurled during matches. According to the LOC, their 62x11 ft flag is way way bigger than their 2.5x1m limit. Also they told me that there are some people who will sneak in the flag of Israel during Palestine matches (to provoke them because Israel and Hamas are in conflict and it gets worse) and Pro-democracy flags on Myanmar matches (Myanmar's in transition from a Junta to democracy as of this writing), which I think is Understandable. But banning THAT BIG FLAG was ABSURD AND UNACCEPTABLE.

The Ultras Filipinas are not also spared, when their banners depicting Jose Rizal are also on the brink of Confiscation. Fortunately, they made up for it using their voice, in which Skipper Rob Gier appreciated.

I also found the flagpole ban as UNACCEPTABLE as well. They just generalized it. This should be solved in previous matches. This is the portion that completely missed. Flagpoles that are rounded are A-OK. What they should not allow is the pointed ones that are a clear threat to public safety. They just missed it big time.

The Musical instrument ban is also a big BULLSH*T. What the HELL is the Vuvuzelas and Drums not allowed in the Stands? This is RIZAL MEMORIAL, not the ARANETA COLISEUM, IDIOTS from the LOC.

What the LOC did here is a big step backward. We are watching football, but what they did is like those in a basketball game, wherein TILI and DEFENSE are only allowable noise allowed (This is not meant to diss a sport). What I fear is that the sit-and-clap attitude that is prevalent in hoops is also being institutionalized in football as well. I hope this will be different when the Azkals face Myanmar later in the Final. I definitely miss the noise in the Grand Old Lady of Adriatico in every Azkals home match that sent chills down to the spine of our opponents. Hopefully, if we reach the Semifinals, It will be the different scenario as well.

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The UFL Cup Rundown: Archers are for Real, Sparks in big trouble

Green Archers United are enjoying their best season so far. After shocking Kaya, they stringed back-to-back wins over Dolphins and Diliman and they are poised to go top of Group B when they locked horns with Forza tomorrow. The acquisition of Ayi Nii Aryee from Global was the biggest transfer news for the Lasallian outfit since getting JJ Melliza and Patrick Deyto midway through the last year's league play.

For their final group game at UMak tomorrow, the Green and White club just needed a win by two goals to go top of the group due to goals scored, as of today, last year's league runner-up Kaya are hoping that Forza upsets them by a draw or maybe a win by eight goals to advance into the knockout stage.

Meanwhile in the Sea of Orange, the Loyola Meralco Sparks are in a do or die situation in Group C. Battle weary after their Singapore Cup debacle, they were given a shock lesson when the muffed a one goal lead and lost to Div1 newcomers Pachanga last Saturday. 

Faithful supporters of LMS, known as the SparkSquad, were hoping that the Sparks would bounce back against Nomads later in Rizal at 730PM (live on AKTV). Anything less than a win will prematurely switch off Loyola's campaign in a tournament where they finished as bridesmaids last year. The Sparks need the Younghusbands as well as Chad Gould to step up to escape elimination against the Merville outfit that wins the first two fixtures albeit with an incomplete line-up.

post-script: 

Loyola will go back to Singapore with hopes of getting third place in the Singapore Cup when they face Gombak United in five days. 

Also, the AFP derby of old enemies Army and Air Force will collide for Group D supremacy in another televised match. It will be live on AKTV at 5PM

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On That Win In The Lions Den

The win by the Azkals over Singapore 2-0 last Friday night have gave us three significant firsts.

The win was the first since 1972 in Jakarta.

That was also the first win on the road since Vietnam in 2010. In the past eight matches on the road, we drew five of them (Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Malaysia and Cambodia) and lost thrice (Mongolia, Kuwait and Singapore).

This was Michael Weiss first win over a fellow AFF side, another first since 2010. That was nine matches vs SEA (home, away and neutral) without a win (six draws and three losses), when you combine Simon McMenemy's last three matches and coach Weiss six matches against fellow ASEAN side

It's hard for a Southeast Asian team to beat the Lions on its own den. The last time an SEA team win a match was Vietnam way back in 08 Suzuki Cup Semis. So how the Azkals pulled that off? There were FOUR things to learn about that historic moment.

Stephan Schrock. The Hoffenheim bad boy was a man playing against the boys. He glides past defenders with ease and gives them headaches with those pinpoint passes and some threatening attacks. The Malaysia friendly was his best match (after Kuwait) before this. The two assists that lead to those two dagger goals were worthy of a Man of The Match award. Indonesia was very lucky not to face him last July 5 at home, because he will never back down on any opponent.

If you can't be good, be lucky - Bob Guerrero. Chieffy's goal was part luck, part skill. His strike with the weaker right was not deflected by the defender's boots, but by the mound at Jurong West that beats the keeper and hits the far post and into the goal. If the grass was in a good shape, Hyrulnizam can easily saved that. The video can be watched here.

The Jurong West grass was better than Phnom Penh's NOS by a mile. Save for some patches and mounds, this playing field cannot be at it's best by it's still okay for passing play. It was the complete opposite from the Cambodian grass last Wednesday that was bad which was made worse by the heavy rainfall, which forced the Azkals to go long balls.

Patrick Reichelt and Denis Wolf deserves the start for the last friendly. Clearly, they are Coach Weiss's best picks off the bench in these stretch. The two Global players made instant impact once they were in the field, with Reichelt came closest, hitting the post in the Cambodia friendly. The two German-bred Azkals have made Ian Araneta warm the bench for the longest time.

The Azkals will conclude the three-nation ASEAN swing when they will visit Laos tomorrow. They will play without the Younghusbands, who went back home to commemorate the death anniversary of their mother and Jerry Lucena, who goes back to Denmark to play a league match with Aarhus.

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The 2011-12 UFL Season. This one's badass.

Credit to Mr. Coco Torre (UFL's Marketing Manager) for this

Music-Elevation by U2

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The UFL Rundown: Midweek Massacre

Pasargad had mauled Navy, 6-0 in the only Div1 match for this week (hey, we are in the week of friendlies). And here are some interesting facts.

Mohammed Ohedi had scored the brace on both halves with Hamed Hajimahdi, Charles Ujiam, Milan Behgandom and Sajjid Khodarahmi had been registered in the scoresheet despite playing the next 48 minutes with ten men (Mark Anthony Fernanded has been sent off)

A completely different Pasargad was what we were seeing in the second round. The Persians have picked up 16 points with a record of 5W-1D-1L, therefore improving their first round record (five points on a 1-2-6 card) by a whopping 320%!! Clearly a great turnaround for a team who is just promoted last season.

After this win, Esmail Sedigh's outfit have beaten 4 out of 6 teams who defeated them the previous round (they've beaten Nomads, Loyola and Air Force before). Only Global can have the distinction of sweeping them this season, unless Kaya can do it as well.

With that loss, that equals their second worst defeat for the Sailors (Stallions also hit six on them on the opening week). With relegation to Div2 seems closer to them, Marlon Maro will have to do some magic and some favors from other clubs just to save themselves from the drop. But with their next assignment (Loyola on the 16th No less!), looks like it will be an Everest climb for them to get a positive result.

In the other news, former Global gaffer Frank Muescan has joined Green Archers United as an assistant to Rodolfo Alicante. Muescan who have co-managed the UP Men's Football Team with Loyola midfielder Anto Gonzales to a UAAP title in 2011, had a stellar managerial career. In his a year and a half tenure with Global, the club won the UFL Cup and almost do a Kaiserslautern (winning the league title in their first season after they are promoted) in the league season, coming up short against a resilient Air Force side on the final day. He capped off his stint with a Smart Championship, besting the Younghusbands and San Beda in a two-legged final. Since being replaced by Graeme McKinnon, he has managed Div2 (and Global's reserves) Laos from the start of the season, until he was replaced by Ronald Patulin midway through. Another big steal for the La Sallians, since grabbing that record deal with Globe Telecom. Can his experience help them to safety this season? The results will be next week. Note: Div1 Action resumes next Saturday, June 16 @UMak with Green Archers United battling Army and Loyola taking on dead-last Navy. Both matches will be shown live on AKTV.

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The UFL Week 14 Preview: It Gets Tighter Than Ever

The League Table As of May 7 (credits to Kaya FC Facebook page. Screenshot from Soccer Central Philippines)

Tighter than a belt. That's how the title race in Division 1 looks like. The Favorites: Kaya, Global and Loyola, are engaging in dogfight for the title and the bragging rights to be the Philippines' no. 1 club with six weeks remaining in the season. All of them have the same points (and the same number of matches played), but the Sparks' edge in goal difference puts them on top of the table, with the men in Yellow second and the Redshirts third. A draw at least by either of these clubs will formally end the title hopes of Nomads and dethrones the defending champions Air Force, despite playing one game more, and will join Pasargad as the also-rans. Fourth-placed Stallion looked to solidify their place after losing the pole position, a place that they were in the first weeks of the season. For Navy, Green Archers United and Army, the battle for survival begins now, as picking the points would be crucial or else, they are now staring to play Div2 football next season. MATCH TO WATCH: Loyola v Kaya (May 12, 4PM @ UMak, live broadcast on AKTV)Photo: Jojo Lirio, Jr. from the UFL Facebook Page Previous Meeting: Feb. 4 @ Rizal Memorial Loyola 2 (JYH 12', PYH 37')-0 Kaya Man of the Match: Mark Hartmann (assisted in both of those goals) The league's Superclasico headlines the week of exciting football action. Both teams came from contrasting wins in week 13: the Sparks showed it's masterclass in their vengeance against Stallion, while Eric Dagroh scored the only goal in a tight affair with a struggling Navy side. This match will be Kale Alvarez's one of the biggest tests in his young coaching career, as Kaya tries to break Loyola's streak against them since the 2010 season (in that streak, the Sparks have won four and drew once vs Kaya, including the 2011 Cup Semifinal thriller last Dec.5). The only time Kaya have defeated the men in Orange was when they first met in the 2010 League season, a 5-0 drubbing in Nomads. Master Kim's Sparks will begin the most hectic schedule in their season, as they will also fly to the Lion City to play against S. League's Geylang United in the Singapore Cup on 6 days later. Both teams expressed excitement in this so-called Battle Royale. And rightfully so, because this match offers the highest stakes and the bragging rights who is the better between them after 90 minutes of intense football. Interesting Fact: Kurt Alvarez, Anto Gonzales and Alex Camara are the only players who played for both clubs. Kurt was one of Loyola's stalwarts in the league's inaugural season, while Anto previously played for Kaya in the 2011 season. The younger Alvarez has yet to suit up for Kaya after being acquired in the March transfer window, while the UP Fighting Maroons coach has appeared for the Sparks on loan from Diliman, starting in seven matches since his debut as a substitute against Stallion three months ago. The Liberian forward even scored a goal against his future club last season, which ended in a draw.

So here's the rest of the weekend schedule. Hope to see you there at the matches! (all matches will be played at UMak, unless stated) May 12 2PM-Pasargad v Stallions (live telecast on AKTV) May 13 (No television coverage) 4PM-Army v Nomads 6PM-Global vs Green Archers United 8PM-Air Force vs Navy

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On the Locker Room Incident

I wonder what's the purpose of Cristy Ramos's visit in the locker room of the team before the match against the Malaysians, where she was allegedly "offended" by Lexton and Angel. If that was intentional or what. And I don't think that that was sexual harassment either. Yesterday, I just read Mr. Ding Marcelo's reaction on that incident and found out that there are many loopholes for that complaint. She was in the higher place, the players were the subordinates, yet she was offended? A BIG SLAP to her. The only thing those two are only guilty of juvenile exuberance.  And the worst part of it, she gone on going to media doing all the brouhaha. What she does now is a smear campaign designed to demoralize and even ruin the team. Great timing huh. The team is in Nepal for the Challenge Cup, and she drops the nuke. And talking about "paawa effect", she will tell the dumb viewers (not us) that they were guilty without their explanation. Sheesh. I will conclude that trial by publicity is still more fun in our country. And with her intentions she should be charged with electioneering (hello, elections are next year!) The issue had gone out of hand, before this goes to court, the EPALs are going at it again. Pia Cayetano wanted to have an investigation. GABRIELA is supporting their "kumare". Sen. Miriam, please extend the scope of the ANTI-EPAL BILL! I'll conclude that Cristy Ramos, with all of this happened in a great timing, has to be ashamed of herself. She just ruined the image of his great dad who happens to be the first, and so far only Protestant president of the country.  I hope the team gets over on this. It happened last year. They must win this so critics, haters and crabs should shut their freaking mouth up!

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The Clapper Revolution

NOTE: This article is written in the banging minds of the writer. He introduces us the world of those sticks that sound like thunder.

As I surf the clapper things on the internet, I just stumbled on one of Team Socceroo's fan videos on YouTube. Should I Ask, are those inflated sticks the NEW THING in football fandom in the Philippines? Let's find out.

Call it cheersticks, bangers and thundersticks. These inflated sticks were first used by South Korean fans in their football matches. It's innovative designs and its created noised earned the name of thundersticks. Imagine 5,000 fans inside the arena are distracting a visiting player who was taking free throws. And in every point in badminton the fans continue to kept roaring those sticks.

Thunder fans from OKC in their sticks.

In United States, it started with Anaheim Angels fans clapping those in their run in the World Series, in which they claimed baseball's biggest prize in seven grueling games. It clicked among other teams, with basketball's Denver Nuggets and baseball's New York Yankees are major exceptions. (watch the video of Anaheim's fans here. The sound of thundersticks is at the background.) 

In the Philippines, it was unheard in most parts of the country, in which elongated, hotdog-shaped balloons and pom-sticks are much preferred. But if you're from either Taft, Benilde, Greenhils or Zobel, thundersticks makes you an extraordinary sports fan. This banging stick, originated in Ateneo (which did not click), was was popularized by La Salle just in time for their return in UAAP in it's 70th season, had become an identity for a normal Lasalista. And it just not made wonders to the Gang of Green, it even brought a championship after a year of (unjust and unfair, to them) suspension. Sometimes that was just preety sweet.

Just spot how many pairs of bangers are their in the Green Gallery in the Big Dome. (watch how these Gangs of Green demonstrate the proper way of clapping it here. Pardon the slightly low quality of the video so that you can here the sound.)

Aside from South Koreans, Singapore's fans have made it a habit to brandish those sticks to make a different atmosphere in the famous National Stadium in Kallang.

Back here, Meralco's fans are making these bangers as a norm when either the Bolts (in the PBA) or the Sparks (UFL) are playing.

Now back to that Socceroo thing. They also have one.

The Socceroo clapper (not the Aussies.)

Despite the team being mauled 15-1 by the Sparks in their UFL debut, it's fans still having lungs out on cheering in one fan video here.

Analysis: With the steady growth of football in the consciousness of every Pinoy sports fan, we can also consider the change of fan equipment such as these sticks. Sometimes I'm sick and tired of those long hotdog balloons (pasenya sa mga taga UST.) that we always used. It's sometimes called as obsolete and not perfect in our time. With time changes, so does fan equipment.

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Scouting The Enemy: Nepal

NOTE: The writer is in hibernation mode since July. This is his first scouting report of the opponent of the Azkals. The friendly will be the first at home since 1997, when Estonia defeated them 1-0.

Our match with Nepal will be the last for October as a preview of the AFC Challenge Cup next year. They are the third South Asian team the Azkals has faced this year, after beating Bangladesh (3-0, AFC Challenge Cup Qualification) and Sri Lanka (1-1 in Colombo and 4-0 in Rizal Memorial, World Cup Qualifiers Asian First Round). This year, the Azkals are unbeaten against South Asia with two wins and a draw to show for. Would this be win number three for us? Or the visitors from the highest points of the world steal one from us like Kuwait did to us?

  OVERVIEW: The Nepal national football team is controlled by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) and is nicknamed The Gorkha Warriors. Their Home matches are played at the 25,000-seated Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu. Their are the hosts of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup, therefore this match is a preview of two of the qualified squads.

The team is ranked 135th in the FIFA rankings, 31 spots behind us. They are higher than Singapore (136), Indonesia (139) and even the defending Suzuki Cup Champions Malaysia (147).

Graham Roberts is the man at the helm for the Himalayan side since January. The former defender has a successful career as a player, being a member of one of the greatest Tottenham side in the early 80's, alongside Osvaldo Ardiles, Glenn Hoddle, Steve Archibald, Garth Crooks, Ricardo Villa and manager Keith Burkinshaw.

RECENT MATCHES: The match will be only the second time they've met. Their last meeting was in 1982 for the King's Cup in Thailand, with Nepal emerging as winners, 1-0. Current ANFA president Ganesh Thapa scored the winning goal in a match which also featured current PFF president Mariano Araneta.

KEY PLAYER: Ju Manu Rai

  Ju Manu Rai (#11 in the picture) is a forward who plays for the highly-successful Nepal Police Club. He has nine goals for Nepal, the fourth-highest scorer. He is paired with Anil Gurung up-front, with both forwards scored in a 5-0 trashing of East Timor in the World Cup Qualifier.

However, we can't find enough references about his style of play, because of limited sources on the internet.

MAN TO MATCH: Aly Borromeo

I picked the Captain to stop Rai from his tracks with his wide frame, extreme physicality, leadership abilities and tenacity on the field. With Stephan Schrock's absence, the backs will work double time in order to stymie any Nepali attack.

GAME PLAN: Nepal will play a fast-paced passing game like  as their manager Graham Roberts told to the media in a press conference. They will also play fearless football and they don't care about the Azkals' European-based players.

In order to stop the attacks, they must disable the wing play and keep good communication. And a little luck is also needed, something that we lacked against Singapore last Friday.

OUR ADVANTAGE: The Altitude and Nepal's Bad Away Record

The biggest advantages the Azkals have aside from the home crowd is the sea-level altitude and the opponents' bad away record. Nepal would lose to games held in a low-lying venues and when they are the visiting side. Their worst loss came at the hands of South Korea, 0-16 at Incheon eight years back.

MY FEARLESS FORECAST: It would be a close one but I picked the Azkals for a 2-1 win.

WELL, THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

WATCH THE FRIENDLY BETWEEN PHILIPPINES AND NEPAL LIVE FROM RIZAL MEMORIAL ON STUDIO 23. TELECAST STARTS AT 6PM WITH A PRE-GAME PRESENTATION. KICK-OFF STARTS AT 7:30PM.

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We Still Believe

Oh yeah...we lost to Kuwait, and with that the long unbeaten streak at home...

and the CRABS and HATERS are throwing a party..

BUT IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD FOR US.  IT WAS STILL THE BEGINNING.

Time may pass as some players would retire, but the passion remain for GOD and the FLAG.

At the end of the day, they will never be alone.

WIN OR LOSE, GOD BLESS THE AZKALS!

AZKALERO TILL I DIE!

[93-10-16]

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100% Azkalero: LOUD & PROUD!! Team Azkals Forever. :D

@AzkalerosTwits

MAKE SOME NOISE!!!!

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TIME TO BELIEVE AZKALEROS!

The long Road to Rio begins tomorrow.

We pray hard and deep.

VIVA PILIPINAS!!

ONE BIG BITE!!

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Football's Journalism Tips

I've been seeing a lot of development of media coverage in our country when it comes to the sport of football, especially to the Azkals and the United Football League. But also in those stages, I've seen some flaws regarding this. So We have to come up with tips on how to improve the media coverage of the sport so ignored before.

TIP#1. No more American-styled naming, especially when the Azkals are involved. I really hate when they name their opponents like for example, Mongolia Blue Wolves. It sounds ugly and not appealing to a common football fan like you and me. Naming a national football team with the formula of putting the country+nickname would be an EPIC FAIL for sure. It's not just applied to them but to all national teams. What if famous teams like England, Spain, Brazil, France, Argentina, Italy and Germany would be named American-style by our sportswriters and sportscaster. That was just disgusting.

TIP#2. Use the internet and do some research. With the power of the web, football terminology, tips, plays and even football slang are shown to give football newbies some lessons. We need to make our knowledge wide. Less or no research at all means bigger chances of utter dumbness when it comes to new sports.

TIP#3. Never add the name of the shirt sponsor to the team name. Hello, this is not Euroleague Basketball, in which teams had added corporate names for sponsorship reasons (examples are Regal FC Barcelona and Lottomatica Roma), unless the teams are formed as works team (PSV Eindhoven and Bayer Leverkusen are classic examples). I saw it in the UFL before until today, but they can now say the names of the club like they were formed.

TIP#4. Be natural when it comes to broadcast football matches. Don't let the production staff control you, because you cannot show your own aura when you are forced to do what the production want. It can ruin the game itself. For example, you want to be like Martin Tyler (or any of your favorite footie announcers) but the production staff says that "you have to be like those Eat Bulaga or in basketball". Oh come on! This is a football match, not a noontime show!

TIP#5. Learn from the "LEGIT". These are the people who has ample amount of Football IQ. Among those are sportswriters like Cedelf Tupas and Rick Olivares, blogger Ryan Fenix, commentators Bob Guerrero and your friends who play football. Don't be shy asking questions on them whenever they brought you in football game.

TIP#6. DO NOT WRITE YOUR ARTICLE IN THE SHOWBIZ SECTION AND NEVER, EVER WRITE ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL LIVES! HELLO! This is not showbiz and they are not actors or any kind of celebrities. They are athletes fighting for our country. I REALLY HATE IT when those gossip-making scums, such as those in the tabloids. About their Personal lives, never meddle with it. those false accusations may damage their reputation. Remember never to cross the line. Bottomline: all of the Azkals are TAKEN!

TIP#7. PLAY FOOTBALL! For the final tip, this applies to all You don't need to buy some cleats to play football. All you need is a ball and a foot and you can juggle and dribble it. Common Filipinos, especially in Metro Manila should not single out that football is an elitist sport.

I hope that these tips would help any people related to sports media in order the clear out their errors when writing football articles.

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The 2011 Champions League Final.

Pick your Choice.

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GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED!

Champions of ENGLAND FOR THE RECORD 19TH TIME!

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UFL: Loyola's Domination on Kaya and Navy's Relegation Threats

The Labor Day Triple-headers at UMAK had some shockers and usual wins as well. Even though that I did not watch them in the flesh, I've been able to see the matches. I was also busy for the ordination of our pastor that same day. But this week we're talking about a school-based squad dominating the region's most popular club and an AFP outfit in danger for the drop.

Loyola: Having Kaya's numbers since 2010

Loyola had been the shocker of this week. Since stunning Kaya anew with a 1-0 win courtesy of Alvin Valeroso's strike at minute 32, they are now a point behind their latest victim. Despite losing a man and their coach Carlo Rodriguez in this highly physical match, they hold on and ended up being the first team to be undefeated against Kaya this season (with a dramatic 2-2 at the same venue being the other result). And in coincidence, their win was also the first anniversary of their upset win.

Loyola had Kaya's numbers since last season. Since embarassed by Kaya 5-0 at Nomads on 14th of March, the boys in Blue made the unimaginable revenge against them by handling the erstwhile leaders then its stunning loss 1-0 on an 3rd minute goal by JP Merida in a highly-emotional game that had then Kaya's coach Juan Cutillas sent to the locker rooms. That loss saw the signs on Kaya's meltdown that resulted in Air Force snatching the title from them.

With that win, Loyola emerged as the newest "dark horse" this season. Since the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) took over the sponsorship duties and a name change (to Loyola Meralco Sparks), the fruits of their labor had grown by leaps and bounds. The busiest squad in the midseason, Loyola had beefed up it's squad by signing eight players, including the Hartmanns (Matt and Darren) from Nomads, Tahil Al Faizar, Union stalwarts Jayson Cutamora and Japanese spitfire Taku Yoshioka.

Since then, their efforts paid off. Before defeating Kaya, they scored another shocker in Global, drawing 1-1. That match was a fitting send-off for Taku, who went back home to Japan to play there.

Navy: In trouble of going down

On the other side of the fence, Navy are the only winless team so far, and facing relegation to Division 2. After their defeat to Air Force, their record was made even worse with with just two draws in nine matches with three left to play and also expanded the their woeful streak to eleven that came all the way from the Cup competition . The have the worst goal difference and worst defence. Definitely out of the title race, the club from Roxas Boulevard must take the maximum nine points from the remaining matches to survive the drop, anything less than a win would put them in jeopardy.

With most of the Navy's losses came from heartbreaks and wasting away their leads, its morale was severely damaged and now they must move on and win the last matches.

So, that's it for now.