Global Cebu FC secures PFL Finals berth

Paolo Salenga trying to pry away the ball from Tyler Matas.

Global Cebu showed poise in securing a finals berth in their Philippines Football League Finals Series matchup against FC Meralco Manila on Saturday night.

Rufo Sanchez's 85th minute equalizer negated Curt Dizon's strike in the second minute, securing a 1-1 draw that would make it good enough to go through on aggregate, 3-2.

The Sparks secured an ideal start by nabbing a quick goal after kickoff, as Dizon controlled a long throw from Tyler Matas from the left flank and artfully lobbed the ball over the Global defense. Patrick Deyto had a chance to deny the goal, but his fingers were not enough to prevent it from crossing the line and into the net.

The goal made it 2-2 on aggregate, which if it held, would be enough for the Sparks to advance via the away goals rule.

Global would have numerous opportunities to find the equalizer for the rest of the first half, with Hikaru Minegeshi's free kick midway into the period going wide, while Paolo Salenga's chance a few minutes later weakly fired towards Junjun Badelic. The 38th minute saw Sanchez's header from a Minegeshi free kick hitting the woodwork, while Wesley Dos Santos' attempt just before the halftime whistle went over the bar.

Global continued to put more pressure in the second half, as Badelic would deny Sanchez with a foot save moments after kickoff. The Sparks netminder would continue to hold the fort, holding off attempts by Dos Santos and Dennis Villanueva.

Eventually, Global gets their much sought-after equalizer, as Sanchez would bundle in a scrappy goal from inside the area.

FC Meralco Manila had a chance to retake the lead and force extra time, but their free kick did not prosper, thus giving Global Cebu a pass into the final.

Global head coach Akbar Nawas praised his players for sticking with the game plan, acknowledging that "with this team, you know you can always get a goal back."

Sparks mentor Aris Caslib explains, "We had chances in transition, but we were not able to complete them because our front players were too wide."

Global will now face Ceres-Negros FC in the final after the Busmen dispatched Kaya FC-Makati, 2-1 and 3-1 on aggregate that same evening to set up another match to add on to their rivalry on December 16.

As for the Sparks, they face Kaya FC in the third place game also this weekend.