'Ulysses' washes out Mendiola-Stallion Laguna finale

Mendiola's opportunity to lock in the AFC Cup standby club spot has to wait for a later date. PFL (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The strong impact of Typhoon "Ulysses" in Southern Luzon has prompted the PFL to call off its supposed bubble season finale between Mendiola and Stallion Laguna.

"Today's match between Mendiola FC and Stallion Laguna FC is cancelled due to Typhoon Ulysses," the league said in a statement early Thursday, just a couple of hours before the clubs' supposed kickoff.

The showdown was initially scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start but on Tuesday night, the PFL relayed to the media that it would be played at 9 a.m. so that everyone left in the bubble can go home earlier.

While the title has already been decided last week with United City's clincher over Stallion Laguna, which happened on the same day Mendiola spoiled Kaya Iloilo's last gasp, the Mendiola-Stallion Laguna remains an important one.

With guest squad Azkals Development Team, which finished third in the season, not eligible to become a standby team for next year's AFC Cup, the right to become the standby club will belong to the fourth placer.

Stallion Laguna needs to beat Mendiola by three goals or more to steal the fourth spot or else, Mendiola, which is actually in fourth as of the moment, will lock in the said position.

Either Mendiola or Stallion Laguna will enter the AFC Cup if Kaya Iloilo qualifies for the AFC Champions League group stages.

"The league will make an update with regards to the status of the match in due time. For now we wish for each everyone's safety," the PFL's statement continued.

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