FC Meralco Manila and JPV Marikina clash for PFL leadership

Jake Morallo (in white), battles for possession with JPV's Sean Kane in the first meeting of the teams last May 13.

A clash atop the Philippines Football League leaderboard is set later tonight at 7pm between current leaders FC Meralco Manila and current second placers JPV Marikina FC at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

JPV is toting an impressive form coming into this matchup, with five straight wins heading in and just two points back from first place. That could have been six if the weather was more cooperative last weekend. They led 1-0 against Davao before match officials halted the fixture due to inclement conditions. Their last defeat happened to take place against the Sparks back on May 13, a 1-0 result thanks to a James Younghusband header at the Binan Football Stadium.

Speaking of James, he will be ready for the upcoming match, after making a substitute appearance during their 1-0 win over Ilocos United FC at the EPQ Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur last week. Those were his first on-field minutes since being sidelined by an ankle injury incurred during international duty last month.

One person who will not be available for this matchup is starting goalkeeper Ace Villanueva, who is currently with the Philippines U22 team in Japan for a training camp in preparation for the upcoming AFC U23 qualifiers and the Southeast Asian Games.

The matchup will feature a couple of red-hot goalscorers in Phil Younghusband for the Sparks and Takumi Uesato for JPV. Both teams will have key returnees in time for this match, with Milan Nikolic and Tahj Minniecon returning from suspension for FC Meralco Manila and recent international call-up Camelo Tacusalme for JPV Marikina.

JPV head coach Dan Padernal expects the team to be ready, while Alvin Sarmiento sees this as a good game and a tough battle, hoping that they could get the result that they want.

Tickets are available at the gate for PhP 20 (bleachers) and PhP 50 (grandstand). There is streaming on tap below for those who cannot watch the game.



The other scheduled PFL matchup today sees Ceres-Negros FC go up against Ilocos United at 4pm. That game slated to be shown LIVE on PTV 4. For Bacolod residents, Ceres announced that the game at Panaad Stadium is free admission for the bleachers and grandstand area.