Officials mum on specifics surrounding safety concerns

By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

The showdown for the summit of the 2017 Philippines Football League (PFL) table between Ceres-Negros FC and FC Meralco Manila will be played in a closed-door match today at 3:00 p.m.at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.

“In the interest of the safety and security of both the players and spectators, we would like to announce to our fans that Friday’s game against Ceres-Negros FC in Carmona, Cavite will be played behind closed-doors,” FC Meralco Manila announced on social media.

When pressed on specifics on the safety concerns, officials would not elaborate and replied, “Security.”

The match, however, will be broadcast on channels exclusive to Cignal TV, along with the league livestreaming the match online.

Ceres FC is coming off a 5-1 victory over Ilocos United FC, putting them one point behind Meralco on the PFL table. A victory would move the Negrense club to the top, earning them qualification into either the AFC Champions League Preliminary Round or the AFC Cup Group Stage.

“We hope to win the game and finish top of the table,” said Ceres assistant coach Ian Treyes.

Earlier this week, however, Ceres coach Risto Vidaković said, “If you think about it, we are playing for nothing.”

Treyes also took note of the club’s injured players, including defender Kota Kawase and midfielder Manuel Ott.

“I hope our injured players will fully recover,” he said. “We hope [Ott] can return for the post season.”

Meanwhile, Meralco coach Aris Caslib said, “Some of our players are suspended but we expect the fighting nature of the club.”

“We want to end this season with momentum,” he added.

The fixture is the final match for the Manila-based club, while Ceres still has one more next week, November 28, when they face Global Cebu FC at the Cebu City Sports Complex./JSG, WDJ