UFL Cup semis preview: Loyola and Pachanga Diliman look to reach final

The UFL Cup enters its Final Four stage on Tuesday. Here are previews and predictions for the semifinal matches in Emperador Stadium starting five pm.

Loyola Meralco Sparks vs Green Archers United Globe.

The Sparks looked like the class of the Cup in their quarterfinal win over Global. Their defense, marshaled by Joaco Canas, kept a clean sheet, with the help of a superb last-gasp stop by Ghanaian keeper Baba Sampana.

Phil Younghusband showed his quality with a magnificent goal off a Chad Gould pass. I drove home with Spark sub Aaron De Rama after the game, and the Fil-Brit was in awe of the goal. “That's a really difficult finish, striking the ball across your body.” Matthew Hartmann's ridiculously good volley goal put some gloss on the scoreline too.

The spirit in the Sparks camp is also an intangible that needs to be brought to light. After the game Phil told the media that “the team is a lot closer now” and that they played for each other more. Belay Fernando, Malditas keeper and Sparks staffer, mused that “there is just something different about this team.” Ref Cuaresma, Sparks' second choice netminder, tweeted that the atmosphere in the locker room after the win was “AMAZING.”

Loyola will need another solid night from Sampana, who kept a clean sheet but made one bad error in the second half, freelancing way out unnecessarily to go after ball that ended up with Mark Hartmann. Had the ex-Spark been more accurate with his ensuing lob, things could have been different.

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On the other side of the ball, Archers will be pumped up after defeating Ceres with a last-gasp Chieffy strike. But there are storm clouds on the horizon.

Robert Lopez-Mendy got sent off for removing his shirt after the winning goal. It was likely due to a second yellow. It was a churlish move that costs United dearly. GAU is a smallish team that sorely needs his height and quality in the midfield. Sean Lee, who rarely plays a full 90 for GAU, may need to take his place.

CB Lawrence Ikegwuruku was hurt and unavailable for the Ceres game. If he doesn't suit up again then Jake Hugo will have to play the game of his life, alongside Jesse Martindale. Needless to say Patrick Deyto will have to shine. His startling blunder in the Ceres goal in the quarters was an aberration. It's doubtful we will see anything like that on Tuesday.

A potential game-changer for the Archers is Dodong Villareal, a swift wingback with attacking proclivities.

Chieffy will need to produce more amazing moments to spur on his side. And Gabe Olowoyeye, not a natural striker, must find the back of the net.

Archers are a terrific side but it's hard to bet against Loyola. The Sparks have so many weapons. In fact, between the Younghusbands (Phil 34, James 9), Gould (6), Freddy Gonzalez (4), and Hartmann (1), Loyola has an astonishing 54 International goals between them, according to my unofficial count. Firepower matters, and that's why the pick here is a 3-2 Loyola win.

Air Force versus Pachanga-Diliman

I moved over from the grandstand to the bleachers before the extra time of the PAF-Union match. Sitting on a bleacher bench was former UP and current Cimarron star Step Permanes, who told me he was confident Air Force would win. He was right.

The Airmen got another great goal from Jimmy Vergara to propel them into the semis. Can this fairy-tale ride last for another game?

PAF gets a boost with the news that centerback Neckson Leonora, who exited with a shoulder injury in the quarter, will be good to go on Tuesday. Leonora has international experience and is by far Air Force's tallest regular starter. His height will be desperately needed to help corral PD's six-foot plus forward Nate Burkey.

Neckson will also be there to team with his brother Nicholas, who is the left back. “It's a Linus and blanket situation with Nicholas, he is really more comfortable playing with Neckson” says PAF consultant and erstwhile third-string goalie Gue David. (If you were born after 1980 then please look up a Peanuts comic strip via Yahoo! search to get the reference.)

Bulldog Albor, Vince Braga, Rodolfo Bebanco, and Tibong Bayona return to Air Force from suspension. It will be interesting to see which of those players make the starting eleven. Bayona could crack it at one of the wing back positions. David says he is the kind of player good enough to give even Phil Younghusband fits.

Air Force's discipline has always been spotty. In the quarterfinals Ansing Gustilo, back from suspension, was presented with yet another red card late in the game. His dribbling prowess will be missed.

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Pachanga will come into the game with some confidence after a 5-3 drubbing of Stallion. A centerback's job is usually to stop goals, not score them, but PD's two CBs, Reza Amirkhizan and Andrew Santiago combined for three strikes.

On the defensive end they were not as effective, allowing three goals.

Which PD will show up? The one that labored in 120 goalless minutes versus Forza, or the one that put five past the defending champs? I say somewhere in between. Burkey has found the net plenty of times for PD, while Senegalese Ousseynou Diop, who scored against Stallion, is a highly skilled attacking midfield who can carve up any defense in the league.

Pachanga has another wild card in Nathan Octavio. He is quick and extremely fit and could shut down Air Force on the right side of the defense.

Air Force has made a terrific run in the cup. Their defense has performed out of its skin. Their midfield has been remarkable in building up attacks. But they have also been fortunate, with Union hitting the woodwork twice in extra time in the quarters.

PD has the height and offensive might to end the military team's run. This one is very close, but I predict Pachanga-Diliman takes this match 2-1.

Live Semifinal coverage begins on IBC13 starting at five pm on Tuesday. On Thursday, coverage returns to Aksyon. Watch in Emperador Stadium live. P50 for bleacher seats, P100 for grandstand. Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.