GAU coach Villarino on proposed night game at Stallion Laguna: "It's OK for us"

Joggers and football players now get to enjoy the floodlights at the Biñan Football Stadium. Biñan City Information Office
By Ivan Saldajeno

LIPA—If the plan pushes through, the Wednesday PFL match between Stallion Laguna and Green Archers United at the Biñan Football Stadium could be played at nighttime to see if the floodlights will work well ahead of the said venue's hosting of the Southeast Asian Games football competitions from Nov. 26-Dec. 10.


And GAU coach Joel Villarino would love to hold the said game at primetime.

"It's OK for us," Villarino told Dugout Philippines on Sunday night after GAU finished playing at home against Mendiola at the Aboitiz Pitch.

Since getting the agreement with AboitizLand to call the Aboitiz Pitch home, GAU and the other PFL clubs get to enjoy playing nightly kickoffs again, something that has been the problem with the BFS due to the concerns regarding the floodlights.

But with the floodlights now on at BFS, it will not be surprising anymore if Stallion Laguna will play its last two matches at home, including a designated home game by Global Makati in the final day of the season on Oct. 19, under the night lights.

In fact, Villarino said that GAU does not find it hard to play primetime football.

"That's [an] advantage for us 'coz our training is nighttime," Villarino continued.

With GAU scoring a 1-0 victory against Mendiola in what Villarino called "a must-win game for us" Sunday night, the former kept its chances of stealing the bronze from Stallion Laguna alive.

But all GAU needs is for the club to win its remaining matches and for Stallion Laguna to falter in the end to clinch third place.

And it all begins with their Wednesday clash, regardless if it will be at its original 3:30 p.m. kickoff or at a later time.

"If we want to reach third place, we have to beat Stallion kasi yun lang ang chance para makapunta kami sa third place," Villarino further said.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno