Ceres-La Salle leaned on Stephan Schrock’s hat trick to beat the Loyola Meralco Sparks, 4-1, to keep its slim hopes of retaining the title last Saturday in the United Football League at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Schrock scored the game’s first two goals before adding a third seven minutes before the second half stoppage time to give the Busmen the maximum three points while pulling within six behind Global in the race for the league title.
The Bacolod-based side needs to win its remaining three matches coupled with a massive Global meltdown to retain supremacy in the league.
Global, which was coming off a stunning 2-0 defeat to JP Voltes at midweek, was playing Stallion at presstime, needing two victories to complete a UFL double.
Should Global, also the winner of the UFL Cup last April, capture the league, the runner-up will secure a spot in next year’s AFC Cup playoff.
Ceres is tied for second with JP Voltes with a game at hand while Loyola dropped to fourth with 34 points.
Earlier, Louis Clark netted a hat trick as Kaya mauled Laos, 8-0, to remain in the hunt for at least a second place finish.
Kaya, however, is four points behind Global and JP Voltes with three games left on its schedule.