MANILA – Ceres-Negros FC reached the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League – Copa Paulino Alcantara after a 4-0 victory over the Green Archers United FC at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa, Batangas.
James Younghusband, Mike Ott, Charles Ivan Barberan, and Robert Lopez Mendy fired a goal each on Wednesday night.
With the victory, the Busmen emerged as Group A’s top seed (seven points, on two wins and a draw).
The Negros Occidental-based football club drew first blood in the 16th minute courtesy of Younghusband before it was doubled early in the second half by Ott’s 68th minute conversion.
Ceres-Negros went for the kill late in the match with Barberan netting his first-ever goal for the Negrenses at the 80th minute.
This was followed by a Lopez Mendy shot two minutes later.
Meanwhile, Mendiola FC 1991 joined Ceres-Negros as Group A semifinalists by forcing the Philippines U-22 team to a 2-2 deadlock over at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.
The SEA Games-bound team were up 2-1 at the half with two hits from Chima Uzoka to negate the hit of Mendiola’s Hamed Hajimahdi.
Ashley Flores then netted the game-tying hit late in the second half.
Mendiola took the second semifinals seat in Group A after finishing with five points, on one victory and two draws, while Philippine team landed at third spot in the group with four points, on one win, one draw and one loss./PN
