STALLION FC dumped Laos FC, 4-1, on Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium to head into the United Football League Cup knockout stage in a confident mood.
Balot Doctora fired a brace while Jordan Mintah and Sam Bonney added a goal each for the Stallions, who secured the top seeding in Group A to set up a quarterfinal meeting with Group B fourth seed Green Archers United on April 2.
Laos, the reigning Division 2 champions, started its season on a rough note as it failed to advance to the playoffs after winning just one of their five matches.
Loyola Meralco leaned on an offensive outburst from Alvaro Castiella to overpower Nomads, 11-0, and finish third in Group B.
Castiella accounted for more than half the Sparks' entire output as the Spanish striker finished with an impressive six goals.
James Younghusband and Jason de Jong struck a brace, while Jake Morallo chipped in a goal for the Sparks, who will face rival Kaya FC in the next round after leaving Nomads winless in the group stage.