Top seeds Meralco Manila, Ceres Negros face tough foes as Finals Series kicks off

Top seeds FC Meralco Manila and Ceres Negros face tough assignments in the Philippines Football League Finals Series starting on Saturday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Sparks, who finished the season in the top spot after collecting 58 points, go up against fourth-seed Global Cebu in a home-and-away two-leg showdown, while the Busmen clash with dangerous third-ranked Kaya Makati.

The unavailability of the Cebu City Sports Center this weekend has forced Global to play its “home” leg at RMS, which will also be the venue of the second leg on Dec. 9.

Kaya hosts the first leg of their semifinal on Sunday at University of Makati Stadium, while the reverse fixture is slated also on Dec. 9 at Ceres’ home field, Panaad Stadium, in Bacolod City.

PFL officials are reportedly eyeing Panaad or Rizal Memorial as the venue for the league finals on Dec. 16.

Although no official announcement has been made, sources said the inaugural champion of the PFL would gain a berth in the qualifying round of the AFC Champions League next month with the runner-up also gaining a berth in the AFC Cup.

Global Cebu represented the country in the competition last month, losing in the second round of qualification to Brisbane Roar.