FC Meralco Manila puts its clean record on the line against a formidable Ceres Negros side on Saturday in the Philippines Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Sparks hope to go six points clear at the top with a victory in the 4 p.m. duel with the Busmen, who are coming off their most lopsided win of the season, after beating Ilocos United, 7-0, last Saturday in Bacolod.
Meralco prevailed over JPV Marikina, 2-1, last week on the strength of James Younghusband’s second half header. But the Sparks expect a tougher test this time against a Ceres side boasting of quality players.
“They have players with good reputations and deservedly so,” said Sparks striker Phil Younghusband. “Any one of their players can produce a moment of magic.”
The Busmen are teeming with attacking talent in Manny Ott, Stephan Schrock, Iain Ramsay and Bienve Marañon.
Patrick Reichelt also returned from a 10-month injury layoff last week and scored twice against Ilocos.
“The players know they can play with Ceres but it will all boil down to hard work, concentration, and working together,” said Sparks coach Aris Caslib.
Over at Cebu City Sports Center, Global Cebu tries to sustain its scintillating form at home when it hosts winless Davao Aguilas in the late kickoff at 7 p.m.
The Cebuanos are unbeaten at CCSC, bringing down Ceres, 1-0, last July 5, before subduing Stallion Laguna, 3-0, on Sunday.
With 20 points from nine matches, Global could find itself level on points with Meralco with a victory and a loss by the Sparks to Ceres.