Local football was on show yesterday, June 28, as the 2017 Philippines Football League saw two games kick off simultaneously at 4:00 PM in Visayas and Mindanao.
Ceres-Negros continues rise
The Ceres-Negros Football Club continued their rise towards the top of the league’s table with a 5-1 victory against winless Stallion-Laguna Football Club at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
An 18th minute goal from Bienvenido Maranon opened the floodgates for Ceres, until former FEU Tamaraw Jhan-Jhan Meliza capitalized on a defensive error to score a 27th minute equalizer for Stallion.
Both clubs stood toe-to-toe with one another, until the home side essentially killed off any resistance from the visitors with two goals in just seven minutes. Maranon tapped the ball in at the 37th minute, while Fernando Rodriguez added another one at the 44th minute.
With a 3-1 cushion at the break, Ceres pounded Stallion upon the game’s resumption. Maranon had scored a hat trick in the Bacolod club’s last game against Kaya, and this time it was Rodriguez who obliged. Another strike got the debutante his second goal in the 57th minute and the Spaniard secured his hat trick in the 84th minute with fine finish.
That 5-1 win allowed Ceres to leapfrog Kaya in fourth place with 10 points due to a superior goal difference. In contrast, Stallion are still stuck in 7th place with 3 points.
Global-Cebu escapes Davao
In the day’s other kickoff, Global-Cebu Football Club won 2-1 away against Davao Aguilas Football Club in the Davao del Norte Sports Complex at Tagum City.
An own goal gave Global the lead in the 32nd minute, which they doubled in the 36th minute courtesy of Sekou Sylla. Richard Talaroc sparked hopes for a Davao comeback with a 45th minute goal, but the Cebu side held on for the victory.
The win allowed Global to strengthen their hold on 3rd place with 13 points, while Davao are 6th in the standings with 4 points.
ON DECK
PFL play shall resume this weekend. Ceres takes on Stallion while Ilocos United FC shall face FC Meralco Manila. Both games will be held on July 1 (Saturday) at 4:00 PM.
Afterwards, Kaya FC-Makati will host Global with JPV Marikina doing the same versus Davao. The two fixtures shall be played at 4:00 PM on July 2 (Sunday).
