Meralco, Laguna collide in top Manila Day duel

MANILA, Philippines -  Held to a stalemate in a preceding road game, pacesetting FC Meralco Manila aims to regain its winning ways as it hosts Stallion Laguna today in a Manila Day Philippines Football League encounter at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

After winning their first five outings, the Sparks settled for 2-2 tie with a resilient Davao Aguilas last Wednesday in Tagum City and the 4 p.m. home game presents a quick chance to get back on track and extend their lead against their closest pursuer. 

With 16 points after six games, Manila stands just one-up against second-running JPV Marikina (five victories, two losses), which closed in on the Sparks after picking up its 15th point overall at the expense of Ilocos, 2-1, also last Wednesday.

The Sparks said they have extra motivation to beat Laguna (two points) as they dedicate the game to Manileños who are celebrating Manila’s 446th founding anniversary.

Meanwhile, Ceres Negros FC (four points) and fourth-running Kaya FC Makati (10 points) both hope to bounce back when they tangle over at Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City in the 7 p.m. second game.

The Busmen fell to a 1-2 ambush to Marikina a week ago and also lost their match in the Singapore Cup to Hougang, 0-1, while Kaya bowed to Manila at home last Saturday, 0-2.

Meralco skipper James Younghusband continues to sit it out due to the ankle injury he sustained while on national team duties and he’s joined in sick bay by striker Conor Tacagni, who dislocated his left shoulder in the Davao match.

The Sparks, who are playing their third game in eight days, can’t take Laguna lightly as the Stallion booters have shown their capability to pull off surprises such as when they forced powerhouse Global to a 1-1 draw last month.