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    'Real' Sparks show up in 8-1 rout of Nomads

    Phil hat-trick highlight eight-goal show for rejuvenated Loyola
    Oct 24, 2012
    James Younghusband of Loyola Meralco tries to maneuver his way past Jason Arroyo of Nomads. Jomar Galvez

    THE Loyola Meralco Sparks finally showed their real offensive might with an 8-1 rout of Nomads on Tuesday night to get back on track in the United Football League Cup at the Rizal Memorial football stadium..

    Coming off a 1-2 upset loss to Pachanga over the weekend, the Sparks bounced back in a great way as they showed how dominant they can be offensively.

    The blowout result enabled the Sparks to jump from third place to first in Group C on goal difference over Pachanga and Nomads, who all have six points each.

    “Obviously we needed this kind of result. But all these are for none if we don’t win on Thursday,” said Loyola owner Randy Roxas, whose wards face Mendiola on October 25.

    Phil Younghusband registered a hat-trick, substitute Jake Morallo scored a brace, while James Younghusband, Byeong Yeol Jeong, and Anto Gonzales added a goal apiece for the Sparks.

    Nomads, which defeated Pachanga, 1-0, courtesy of an uncharacteristic own goal from their opponents, benefited from another own goal courtesy by the Sparks just six minutes into the game.

    Last year’s losing finalist, the Sparks began to catch fire as Phil Younghusband scored twice in a span of 12 minutes, before Jeong added another goal to give their team a 3-1 lead at the break.

    After James Younghusband scored on a chip shot four minutes into the second half, Gonzales joined the scoring fray in the 58th minute, before Phil completed his three-goal romp in the 70th.

    Phil was replaced at the 72nd minute by an equally aggressive Morallo, who scored just three minutes after coming in and another one five minutes after to complete the Meralco rout.

    Although satisfied with his team’s offense, Roxas has yet to see how improved the Sparks’ defense is after they made the necessary acquisitions in the offseason.

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    “Our defense was not completely tested, but I hope our backline shows more of their potential in the coming games.”

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    James Younghusband of Loyola Meralco tries to maneuver his way past Jason Arroyo of Nomads. Jomar Galvez
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