By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--It's Kaya versus Ceres in the championship game of the UFL Cup!
Ceres moved to within a win from the league's first treble after eliminating Loyola, 1-0, in the other semifinal affair at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Tuesday night.
Orman Okunaiya nailed the only goal of the match in the 70th minute just when everyone thought it will be heading to extra time like the first semifinal, where Kaya needed a penalty shootout before ousting Stallion.
[Related Story: Kaya subdues Stallion on penalties, earns first UFL Cup final ticket]
Ceres actually had its first shot at the lead when Patrick Reichelt found himself wide open in the third minute only to muff the attempt.
Ceres had another chance to go on the board when Tommy Trigo was called for an infraction after handling the ball off a Loyola back pass in the 63rd minute. Ceres' indirect free kick inside the box, however, hit the Loyola wall.
Okunaiya then slotted in what would be the game-winner as he launched a tough shot from outside the box that went past Trigo.
Loyola had late chances to force extra time, the best came at the start of stoppage time when Brad Grayson was free for the attack that was brilliantly saved by Mike Casas.
The result set up the Kaya-Ceres final at 8:15 p.m. on Friday right and the preceding consolation match between Stallion and Loyola for third place at 5:15 p.m.
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