CERES Negros recovered from an early deficit to score a 2-1 victory over Davao San Miguel Aguilas in the 2018 Philippines Football League Wednesday night at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
Carli de Murga and Patrick Reichelt converted a goal each to lead the way for the defending champion, which remained on top with 28 points on nine wins, one loss and a draw.
Aguilas actually drew first blood in the match as James Younghusband recovered a ball in the box and slotted in over the defense of Ceresâ goalkeeper Toni Doblas in the 14th minute.
Ceres responded with an equalizer as de Murga latched on a deflected ball off a corner kick in the 28th minute. The Busmen had a chance to take the lead before the break but could not get a decent shot.
The go-ahead goal came for the Busmen in the 78th minute â Reichelt chased the ball from a pass by Takumi Uesato and struck past the Aguilas defender. Davao had a chance to tie the scores but Doblas tightened his defense to preserve the win.
In another game, Stallion Laguna banked on conversions from Ko Kyung-jun, Abou Sy, Fitch Arboleda, and Nathaniel Alquiros for a 4-1 victory over JPV Marikina Wednesday afternoon at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.
After a scoreless first half, Stallion surged to a 2-0 lead on back-to-back hits by Ko and Sy. JPV pulled one back on a goal by Ryuki Kozawa but Stallion pulled away with two straight shots from Arboleda and Alquiros.
Stallion fortified its hold of the fourth place with 12 points on five victories and five defeats. JPV, meanwhile, slipped to fifth place with 10 points on three wins, one draw and eight losses./PN
