Cebu FC seeks revenge vs Manila Digger

CEBU, Philippines — Vengeance is on top of Cebu FC’s mind as the Gentle Giants clash with the Manila Digger FC in the Philippines Football League (PFL) Season 2024-2025 today (Saturday, February 22) at the Dynamic Herb-Borromeo Sports Complex in South Road Properties (SRP).

Tip-off time is set at 6 p.m.

The Gentle Giants are itching to get back at the Manila Digger, which handed them their first loss during the first round of competition last year.

In their expected grudge rematch, the Cebu booters will try to ride on the momentum of their back-to-back wins in front of their home crowd against Mendiola FC 1991 and the National Youth Team last week.

“We have always motivated the players to play aggressive because the Digger attacking players are really good. This is our challenge,” said Cebu FC head coach Tomasito “Glenn” Ramos.

Aside from getting even with the Digger, Ramos said there’s an added pressure on the club as they are hard-pressed to stay at the Top 4 of the standings.

The Gentle Giants are currently at the third place with 20 points on a 6-2-2 win-loss-draw record. They’re only a notch higher from One Taguig with 6-3-1 slate.

Manila Digger, on the other hand, is at second spot with 24 points on 8-2 win-loss card, just a hairline behind the pacesetters Kaya Iloilo FC with 25 points on 8-1-1 mark.

With his wards preparing both ways in their system, Ramos hopes they can respond by carrying out their tactics to the letter in the crucial match.

“They communicate during training and the combination of passes, possession is there,” said Ramos. “But we need them to understand the game plan and strategy because our objective is to win all games.”