FC Meralco Manila set to face Davao Aguilas

Spark Simon Greatwich with coach Aris Caslib alongside Davao coach Gary Phillips and captain Jason Cordova

FC Meralco Manila is seeking to extend its winning run in the Philippines Football League to six matches, facing off against a tricky Davao Aguilas FC squad this afternoon at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum City.

The Sparks are in the middle portion of a run of three matches spanning eight days. Fresh off a 2-0 victory over Kaya FC-Makati at the University of Makati, they face an Aguilas side that is kicking off a huge three-match homestand, also within a span of a week. Afterwards, FC Meralco Manila will make the long flight back to Manila to host Stallion Laguna FC at Rizal Memorial Stadium on Araw ng Maynila.

The team has a special attachment to Mindanao, with most of its football outreach activities having taken place in the region, specifically Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi with the Football For Peace initiatives alongside the Philippine Marines, something both head coach Aris Caslib and midfielder Simon Greatwich addressed at the pre-match press conference.

As for Davao, the Gary Phillips-coached side are looking to capitalize on their draw against Stallion Laguna FC at the Binan Football Stadium, although they almost could have snatched a victory. A good result against the current league leaders could net some positive momentum into their remaining two matches in their homestand, against fellow newcomers Ilocos United FC this weekend and next week against Global Cebu FC. The Aguilas still having some injury issues involving skipper Jason Cordova, Nico Macapal, and Brad McDonald. Meanwhile, James Younghusband is out for a couple of weeks with the knee injury he sustained during national team duty in Guangzhou against China.

This is the second meeting between the two teams, with FC Meralco Manila snatching a 2-0 victory at Rizal Memorial.

Kickoff for the Sparks vs Aguilas matchup is slated at 4pm, with tickets for the match available at the venue.

Streaming is already available below.



Earlier in the week, the team had a courtesy call at the Tagum City Hall, with Vice Mayor Geterito Gementiza and Mrs. Yhora Mae Rellon, the wife of Mayor Allan Rellon greeting the team.