Games on Saturday
(Biñan Football Stadium, Biñan)
4:00 p.m.-Laguna vs. Manila
(University of Makati Stadium, Makati)
4:00 p.m.-Makati vs. Negros
MANILA, Aug. 11 -- Meralco Manila looks to strengthen its hold of the top spot in the PFL standings as the club oncwe again takes on Stallion Laguna in a rematch of the league's season opener at the Biñan Football Stadium in Biñan on Saturday.
Manila is aiming for an encore of its 5-1 thrashing of Laguna also at the said venue in their third meeting at 4 p.m.
However, things have changed since their first meeting as Laguna has gone red-hot recently, never losing in its last five games thanks to the return of midfielder Carlo Polli, the arrival of striker Gabriele Mascazzini, and the resurgence of young gunner Jhan-Jhan Melliza, who is slowly becoming the club's new heart and soul. The said streak catapulted the club into playoff contention as the second half of the regular season commences.
Another proof that Laguna has already moved on from the said bad beat was its shock 1-1 draw at Manila in their second round meeting which eventually sparked Manila's mini-slump that took the club out of the top spot momentarily.
Manila eventually got its winning form back and even proved that it can thrive sans the Younghusband Brothers by beating cross-provincial rival Makati last week to reclaim first place. The win also snapped Makati's seven-game unbeaten run, and the club now looks to continue its streak-busting against Laguna on the road.
"Sana ma-maintain namin siya," said Assistant Coach Jeffrey Liman during the pre-match press conference on Friday at the Gilligan's Greenbelt Branch.
Laguna assistant coach Armando Heria, however, seems unfazed about Manila's spoiler bid.
"Kayang-kaya naming makuha ang three points," Heria vowed.
Makati, on the other hand, looks to bounce back from the said loss at Manila at home, but the club has a tough opposition ahead as Negros, still on a high from its AFC Cup ASEAN Zone Finals win against Home, will come to the University of Makati Stadium in a rematch of of their own season opener. (PNA)
