Laguna, Davao clash as wild dash for 3rd heats up

Stallion Laguna assistant coach Richard Leyble and Davao Aguilas head coach Mel Anzures shake hands ahead of their PFL battle at the Biñan Football Stadium in Biñan, Laguna on Saturday (July 28). (Photo courtesy of Art Enriquez/Stallion Laguna FC via PNA)

MANILA — The Philippines Football League (PFL) champion may have already been crowned, but the action is still heating up.

Stallion Laguna and Davao Aguilas will lock horns on Saturday as both teams aim for a better finish in the league season.

Davao (28 points) is currently four points ahead of Laguna (24) for third place in the league table, but a win by the latter in their 4 p.m. showdown at the Biñan Football Stadium in Biñan, Laguna could shake things up especially that they are closely behind Iloilo (33) for second place.

“We all know that Davao is a strong team, so our boys are well-motivated to play against them because we need to win the next six games,” said Laguna assistant coach Richard Leyble during the pre-match press conference at the nearby Alonte Sports Arena on Friday. “Everybody is very determined to win the game.”

“We expect a tough match because each team wants to win tomorrow,” added Davao head coach Mel Anzures. “Hopefully, the boys will switch on tomorrow.”

If Negros goes to win the post-season tournament as well, the second-placed team in the league season will clinch a spot in the AFC Cup outright.

If Negros, which is assured of a spot in the AFC Champions League qualifiers, also goes on to enter the tournament proper, the third placer could enter the AFC Cup through the qualifiers.

However, both clubs opted to already think about the Copa Paulino Alcantara by making huge shuffles in their respective rosters, and their new signings turned out to be of good help as they notched victories in their respective previous outings, setting up a grudge match that could decide which club got the better shake-up.