FILE – A standing-room-only crowd watches Ceres-Negros’ match against Malaysia’s Felda United in the AFC Cup. No other place in the country packs as many football fans as Bacolod’s Panaad Stadium. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/STEPHEN TAN
National Under-22 coach Marlon Maro gets his baptism of fire as he tries to steer the Davao Aguilas to their first win against no less than AFC Asean zone champion Ceres-Negros on Wednesday in the Philippines Football League at Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum City.
Maro, who led the Under-22 Azkals to a couple of victories in the Southeast Asian Games last month, has been called in to replace Australian coach Gary Phillips, on an interim capacity, after the Aguilas went winless in their first 15 games of the inaugural season.
Even with the signing of national team stars Phil and James Younghusband during the transfer window, the Aguilas still couldn’t find a breakthrough victory with their latest defeat coming last Saturday at the hands of the Busmen, 1-3, at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Aguilas have actually lost their first two meetings with the Busmen, who are in fourth spot with 28 points from 13 matches.
Over at Rizal Memorial Stadium, Global Cebu seeks to regain second spot when it collides with Stallion Laguna at 4 p.m.
With 34 points from 20 matches, the Cebuanos can cut FC Meralco Manila’s lead at the top to just four points with a win, although the Sparks will have two games in hand.
The Laguna side, which has 26 points from 20 games, is also in pursuit of a Top Four place with league top scorer Jess Melliza expected to lead the charge.
The fleet-footed striker from Iloilo has scored 13 goals so far this season, helping Stallion climb back into contention for a spot in the league’s Finals Series, which will see the top four teams battle for places in the finals.