FC Meralco Manila hosts Stallion Laguna on 446th Manila Day

Meralco's Alvin Sarmiento against Stallion last May 6.

League-leading FC Meralco Manila hosts Stallion Laguna in their third PFL match in eight days this afternoon, June 24.

The Sparks failed to win a match for the first time in six games last Wednesday when the Davao Aguilas held them to a 2-2 draw in Tagum. The point they earned keeps them atop the standings on 16 points, with second-place JPV Marikina a point adrift after they defeated Ilocos United in Bantay, Ilocos Sur on Wednesday via a 2-1 scoreline. It must be noted that Manila has played one less game than the Mariqueños.

The contest will be a rematch of the encounter in Biñan, Laguna on May 6, when Manila prevailed 5-1. However, Stallion looks to have addressed that leaky defense, only allowing one goal in the last couple of games, including a goalless draw at home against Davao this past Sunday.

Meralco will need to recover well from this game physically. Before playing Davao midweek the Sparks were also in action on Saturday, edging Kaya 2-0 in the University of Makati on goals by Joaco Cañas and Phil Younghusband. The Philippines' all-time leading scorer also played two international games for the Azkals in the days before the Kaya game, scoring against Tajikistan.

Striker Connor Tacagni will be unavailable for selection for Sparks coach Aris Caslib. The former San Beda player dislocated his left shoulder early in the second half against Davao and will be out several weeks. The team is also still without James Younghusband, who is recovering from an ankle injury.

The game will have extra significance since it takes place on the 446th anniversary of the founding of the capital. No doubt Manila's players would love to give their fans a victory on such an auspicious occasion.

Tickets for the game will be priced at P20 for bleacher seats and P50 for the grandstand. The match will be aired live on PTV 4.