Sparks foil Global XI, net PFF Smart crown

MANILA, Philippines - Loyola Meralco lost ace forward Phil Younghusband to injury early on but found the needed spark to prevail over Global FC, 2-0, and win the PFF Smart National Club Championship Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Eddie Mallari (17’) and eventual tournament MVP Matthew Hartmann (55’) scored the all-important goals as they filled in for Younghusband, who was stretchered off at the 15th minute due to cramps.

The Sparks won their maiden title in the tournament, putting the exclamation point to an unbeaten campaign highlighted by a 1-0 victory over deposed champion Ceres-La Salle in the group stage and a 2-1 verdict over Stallion FC in the semifinals.

“We have a fantastic squad here and we proved it today,” said Loyola Meralco coach Simon McMenemy, who also achieved a personal feat with his first trophy as head coach.

“This game for me was the best performance of the tournament. The team was superb. They defended very well, they were disciplined, they didn’t let anybody through. Global threw everything at us but they didn’t look close to scoring a goal,” he added.

The Sparks, who snagged their first title since ruling the UFL Cup in late 2013, showed they’re not just a “Phil Younghusband team.”

Just two minutes after Younghusband went out, the Sparks created a good opportunity to break the ice. Hartmann issued a fine ball over the top to Roxy Dorlas behind the defense and the latter fed it to the rushing Mallari who completed the attack with a composed finish.

Hartmann himself got on the scoring fray 10 minutes after restart, firing a volley that doubled their lead and put more pressure on Global.

The Sparks netted P150,000 for the triumph.

Aside from Hartmann, who was MVP and best midfielder, Loyola’s Tomas Trigo and Joaco Canas copped best goalkeeper and best defender, respectively. Global’s Izzo El-Habbib took best striker honors with seven goals.