Potential PFL Finals Series Preview looms for Global Cebu and FC Meralco Manila

Meralco's Milan Nikolic duels with Global's Wesley Dos Santos.

In what could turn out to be a potential Finals Series preview, Global Cebu FC hosts FC Meralco Manila tonight at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled at 7pm.

Global has had the Sparks' number this season, defeating them once and drawing them twice so far, hoping that this would be an advantage heading into their fourth and final meeting before the Finals Series. They are fresh from securing a 3-3 draw against Ilocos United at the Elpidio P. Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. A win could put them on track to potentially move past Kaya FC-Makati into third place, especially in the aftermath of Kaya losing 3-1 in their final eliminations matchup against also-rans Davao Aguilas last night. With Kaya already wrapping up their eliminations campaign with 47 points and a +19 goal difference, a victory against the Sparks would put them level on points heading into their final league match-up against Ceres-Negros FC on November 28.

With the Cebu City Sports Complex unavailable due to the Visayan leg of the Batang Pinoy competition, the match will be played at Rizal Memorial, which is the home venue of FC Meralco Manila.

As for the Sparks, a win provides a little bit of breathing space atop the standings, although Ceres-Negros is currently primed to move past them considering their remaining schedule, their 1-1 draw against Ilocos United last night notwithstanding. The draw reduced the gap between the two teams to just a single point, 53 to 52.

With the match at Rizal Memorial, it means FC Meralco Manila will be playing its remaining two matches in the eliminations at its home venue.

If one is unable to attend the match in person, one can check out the available streaming option below.

Here are some notes from the pre-match press conference held yesterday:

FC Meralco Manila head coach Aris Caslib: Everyone has realized during the last three days of training that we have to step up and give our individual contributions.

We are pushing everyone to be physically and mentally ready for the demands of the semis.

In our previous games against Global, we controlled the match for long periods of time, but we need to improve our finishing. In the game we lost to them, it was due to a lack of concentration.

Global is a quality team. It is a good challenge for us to step up against them.

FC Meralco Manila goalkeeper Ace Villanueva: We as a team agreed that our mindset was to bounce back and be as a unit and finish our remaining games on a high note.

We are very motivated. The remaining games are the important ones because they are leading to the playoffs.

Global Cebu FC head coach Akbar Nawas: We will know come kickoff how important the coaches will be treating this game. Yes, third place is our target, but the most important thing is that your team is set up to win a game.

The draw against Ilocos last Wednesday will not affect our confidence. Every game is different. That result will have no bearing on the spirit and confidence of the side for tomorrow.