Sparks host Ilocos in battle of PFL bookends

Curt Dizon of Manila evades the Ilocos defense.

FC Meralco Manila seeks to extend their winning run to four straight matches later today, as they host Ilocos United in the lone Philippines Football League matchup scheduled. Kick-off at Rizal Memorial is slated at 7pm, with tickets available at the gate for PhP 20 at the bleachers and PhP at the grandstand.

At 36 points, the Sparks are currently eight clear of Kaya FC-Makati and Global Cebu FC, while also toting a game in hand advantage against Kaya. Fresh from beating Ceres-Negros FC, 2-1, at Pana-ad Stadium in Bacolod, they are looking to extend their lead against the cellar-dwelling league newcomers.

With only four draws to their name, Ian Gillan's squad is lacking in results, but not due to a lack of effort. Fresh from a 4-1 loss against Stallion Laguna FC, they are looking to make amends in continuing to try to secure their first official win as a club. One such move was to sign Arthur Kouassi to find some offensive oomph. The Ivorian has had previous club experience here in the Philippines with Global Cebu FC and Manila Jeepney FC. Gillan believes that he could possibly "solve our goal-scoring problems."

The hosts will be a little bit undermanned for this match-up. Already without Daniel Gadia and Ace Villanueva due to national team duties, the squad of Aris Caslib will not have both Milan Nikolic and Simon Greatwich due to card-accumulated suspensions. The absence of those key cogs could potentially change the tide between the two teams, since FC Meralco Manila has only secured one-goal victories against Ilocos United FC in their two meetings earlier this season. Meralco assistant Pong Liman downplayed this matter, because of his belief that there will be someone who can step up to fill in those gaps.

Meanwhile, the visitors will not have Adam Mitter due to a foot issue.

During the pre-match press conference, Connor Tacagni says that the Ceres win will not amount to much if they lose to Ilocos. Ilocos skipper John Kanayama believes that addressing their defensive mistakes will help in yielding their first victory.