6 August 2013 - Filipino football fans in Singapore had an exciting week, with two football clubs from the Philippines, Global FC and Loyola Meralco Sparks FC, competing in the quarterfinals of the RHB Singapore Cup 2013.

Global booked themselves a semifinals berth by winning 5-4 on aggregate over Singapore-based Brunei DPMM FC, with a goal by Rufino Sanchez during the first leg, and three goals by Carli De Murga plus another by Sanchez on the second leg. Global FC had earlier defeated RHB Cup defending champions Warriors FC during the qualifiers.

Meanwhile, the Sparks put up a spirited performance against Tanjong Pagar United, with goals by James Young Husband, Park Min Ho, Jang Jo Won and Chad Gould, although the Tanjong Pagar Jaguars eventually prevailed 5-4 on aggregate, ending the Sparks’ RHB Cup quest. The Sparks defeated Malaysia’s Harimau Muda during the qualifiers.

The matches saw a huge turnout of fans and supporters from the Filipino community in Singapore, with the Philippine Embassy using its Facebook page to spread the word about the event. The Embassy also organized a talk on football basics by members of the Philippine Football Club Singapore during its monthly Filipino community meeting for July in order to help heighten interest in the sport among Singapore-based Filipinos. END