MANILA – Champions Ceres-Negros FC completed its mastery of Mendiola FC 1991 with a 3-0 in the penultimate day of the 2019 Philippines Football League at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa, Batangas.
Spanish striker Bienvenido Marañon fired two goals while Takashi Odawara chipped in another one as the three-peat champions improved to 62 points on 20 victories and two draws.
Despite already clinching the crown, Ceres-Negros still continued its aggressiveness with Odawara going to work early with a header at the second minute from Jeffrey Christiaens corner that was headed back by Sean Kane to Odawara.
Both teams struggled to convert midway in the half. But it was in the 35th when Ceres-Negros increased its advantage to 2-0 with Marañon slotting in a Robert Lopez Mendy assist.
After missing his first attempts in the second half, Marañon made no mistake late in the match. He tallied his 29th goal of the season to put the game away from Mendiola’s reach.
Meanwhile, Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo cruised to their third consecutive victory after a 3-1 win over Green Archers United FC.
The Ilonggos remained at second with 56 points on 18 wins, two draws and three losses.
Kenshiro Daniels drew first blood for Kaya Iloilo in the opening half before Connor Tacagni and Negrense Jayson Panhay made it a 3-0. Stephen Appiah pulled one back for Green Archers late in the game./PN
