FC Meralco Manila and Global Cebu to kick off Finals Series

FC Meralco striker Tahj Minniecon evades the Cebu defense.

With the grueling eliminations already concluded, FC Meralco Manila and Global Cebu FC are scheduled to open the Finals Series tomorrow at 7pm.

FC Meralco Manila secured the best record in the eliminations to nab the top seeding, while Global Cebu FC was the last team to officially book their postseason seat.

With Global unable to find a suitable venue for its home leg tomorrow, both matches will now take place at the Sparks' designated home venue, the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Both matches have won a game against each other this season. They have also drawn two other times. Finally defeating them in November provided psychological benefits and allowed its fans to witness the team's great character, according to head coach Aris Caslib.

The Sparks may have finished on top of the Philippines Football League regular season standings but now the hard part comes: the four-team Finals Series playoff phase. As top seed Manila earns the right to square off versus the fourth seed, Global Cebu FC.

Curt Dizon still thinks highly of Global even with the victory, "We have more confidence after beating them, but we can't take them lightly." It is something that Simon Greatwich co-signs, "They have been consistently good every year. They have won silverware and have lots of experience playing abroad. But every season when we play them it's a close game, usually decided by just one goal," the team skipper shared.

Simon also adds, "But the team spirit is good, everyone is positive and working hard in training."

Since the loss to FC Meralco Manila, Global has played twice, both times having to travel, with a penalty shootout loss to Albirex Niigata (S) in the RHB Singapore Cup Final and defeating Ceres-Negros, 2-0, in what was described as a dull and drab affair at the Cebu City Sports Complex. Caslib thinks that the travel should have a certain effect on the team, and it is an opportunity worth exploiting.

Tickets are available at the gate. Streaming link for the game, if one cannot be at Rizal Memorial, can be seen below.



Whoever survives this semifinal match-up will face the winner of the matchup between Ceres-Negros FC and Kaya FC-Makati, whose first leg starts tomorrow, in a one-off final on December 16.

Notable quotes from the pre-match press conference:

Global Cebu Head Coach Akbar Nawas:

We are really looking forward to this game.
We have been playing here in Manila a lot, so no problem. I feel for the fans in Cebu, but it is what it is considering the circumstances. I hope they will still support us.
Our fitness is just right. We will be okay for tomorrow. The team is always up for a series like this, with a chance to go to the final.
We did get two players who might be back from injury. We will see who is sharp in training and make the best lineup.

FC Meralco Manila Head Coach Aris Caslib:

We will take this one match at a time. We will focus on this game and see if we can get good results.
The confidence of the team is high. This will be a good opportunity for to rest, because we don't need to travel.

Global Cebu FC's Dom del Rosario:

This is the Finals Series, so we will give everything.
It will be a good game. Our games have been close this season, two draws and a win for both teams. Everyone will be pushing for 90 minutes.

FC Meralco Manila's Curt Dizon:

Everyone is looking forward to this game. It will be an interesting game.
Global is a historic club. We want to make our own history. At the end of the day, it is about who wants that AFC Cup slot.