Air Force Phoenix wrested the United Football League Cup for the first time with a 2-0 shutout of Loyola Meralco Saturday nightbefore a record crowd at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. 

Yanti Barsales and Ian Araneta were on target for the Airmen, who rode the heroics of goalkeeper Edmundo "Tats" Mercado to silence the tournament's highest scoring side in front of a 6,000-strong crowd. 

Araneta latched unto a Randy Bela-ong pass in the 39th minute and scored from close range give the Airmen a narrow lead at halftime, before Barsales sealed the title for Air Force with a superb 20-yard strike a minute before the end of regulation play. 
"The boys deserved to win," said an ecstatic Air Force coach Edzel Bracamonte. "We played hard."

The Airmen ruled the inaugural edition of the league last year, but success in the Cup eluded them early this year with Global winning the 2010-2011 final at their expense, 3-2. They came back strong to top the league last June with Global finishing second.

Air Force entered the Cup still as one of the favorites, but with the top flight sides boosting their rosters, there were doubts that Air Force could sustain their success. 

"A lot of teams got stronger, but we are defending champions in the league and the idea was to train like champions," said Bracamonte. "If we played hard, we knew the result will come. This is just the product of all the work and sacrifices we put in."

In Loyola Meralco, Air Force found itself ranged against another emerging UFL power - similar to what Global was when they played in the finals. 
This time, the Airmen were more than equal to the challenge. 

Air Force gave tournament top scorer Phil Younghusband little room to breathe and got the breaks it needed to survive Loyola's relentless assault. 
"We played defensive, we played offensive. When we lost the ball, we recover. That's basic football. We played basic football. They had advantage physically. In terms of skill, they also had the advantage, but we played as a team."

James Younghusband had a goal disallowed because of an infraction off a corner in the 52nd minute, while substitute Alex Elnar was denied by the crossbar twice. 

There was no doubting Mercado's quality though as the former national team keeper won one on one battles against Phil Younghusband and Mark Hartmann. 

Younghusband found his free header stopped by Mercado in the 73rd minute, while Hartmann drew two world-class saves from the veteran - a strong effort just inside the box that was palmed out despite numerous defenders blocking his view and a close range strike that was kept out by Mercado's foot. 

"We got lucky," said Bracamonte. "Our goalkeeper, Tats Mercado, did very well tonight." 
The Airmen could consider themselves lucky as well as James Younghusband missed a sitter in second half injury time after Phil earlier spurned a gilt-edged chance following a brilliant set-up job from James in the 80th minute. 

Loyola was made to pay for those misses by Barsales, who scored for the third straight game in the knockout stage. 

Despite the absence of Patrick Ozaeta and Davide Cortina, Loyola's backline had done well to deal with the threat presented by Araneta, Barsales and Chieffy Caligdong. 

Barsales' goal however was absolute class - just the kind of strike that wasn't only pleasing to the eyes but delivers trophies as well.
The 38-year-old striker dispossessed substitute JP Merida and with Elizear Fabroada just about to close him down, turned and launched a dipping shot beyond Ref Cuaresma and into the top corner. 

Air Force's fans exploded in delight as fireworks lit up the sky, while Loyola was left reeling in despair. 

Jezurel Tonog and Jaylor Soriano proved solid for Air Force at midfield, while the defensive line of Joel Ballo-Allo, Joebel Bermejo, Martin Doctora and Harold Bayona rose to the occasion against a team that scored 48 goals in the past six games. 
Bracamonte said putting in an extra man to deal with the Younghusband brothers keyed the win.

"They are hard to stop," he said of the brothers who have combined for 28 goals. "The key was to always have the numerical advantage when they have the ball.". 

Bracamonte who took over Edwin Cabalida at the start of the season said there was plenty of pressure on his part to continue the winning tradition of Air Force.

"I'm just happy and relieved at the same time," the Air Force sergeant said.