MANILA – Ceres Negros tightened its grip of the top spot in the 2018 Philippines Football League after its match against JPV Marikina ended in a 1-1 draw at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.
The Busmen – the defending champions – were still No. 1 with 25 points on eight wins, one draw and one defeat.
JPV moved up to fourth place with 10 points on three wins, one draw and seven losses after the Saturday night game.
Both teams had their chances in the opening half. Ceres’ Stephan Schrock and Takumi Uesato misfired while Allen Angeles missed an attempt for JPV.
JPV turned aggressive in the second half and quickly seized the advantage in the 53rd minute as Ryuki Kozawa outpaced Ceres’ goalkeeper Toni Doblas to slot the ball from far post.
Ceres had multiple missed shots since then but forced a deadlock in the 70th minute after a clearance found its way to Joshua Dutosme, who sent the ball back in the box and found Patrick Reichelt for a free header.
Ceres had a chance to snatch lead after that with attempts from Manuel Ott and Uesato but failed to have a decent shot due to JPV’s tight defense.
The action was halted late in the game when Ott was stretchered off the stadium while grimacing in pain.
The Philippine Azkals mainstay was hit by a wayward elbow from a throw-in, forcing him to walk out of play.
“Nobody protects all the players. Nobody cares. Today one player is in hospital and we’re really worried (with) what’s going on. I’m sorry I cannot talk about football in this situation. Football is second place now,” said Ceres mentor Risto Vidakovic./PN
