MANILA – Ceres-Negros FC survived a late run by the Green Archers United FC for a 4-3 victory in the 2019 Philippines Football League on Wednesday at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona Cavite.
Jose Elmer Porteria, Stephan Schrock and Bienvenido Maranon came up with a goal each in the opening half as the defending champions Ceres-Negros maintained its unblemished slate.
The Busmen entered the scoring column at the fifth minute as Porteria smashed the ball to the bottom corner from a pass by Maranon. It was followed by a breakaway by Schrock a minute later for a 2-0 advantage.
The Green Archers United goal back in the 12th minute when Jimuel Areola tapped in a free ball which was not collected by Ceres-Negros keeper Roland Muller but an own goal by Green Archers United’s Resty Gumban gave Ceres-Negros a 3-1 edge.
The Busmen widened its edge at the 37th minute as Schrock found Maranon on the box for a top corner hit but Green Archers United came close before the half on Areola’s header.
The Green Archers United pressed early in the second half giving them multiple shots at the goal but it was at the 54th minute when Areola outran the Ceres-Negros defense to slot in his hat trick.
The Green Archers United piled the pressure further after the goal but Areola and Paolo Bugas missed the opportunities to level the count due to the tight defending made by Muller.
The win pushed Ceres-Negros to second place at 13 points, trailing Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo at 15 points. The Green Archers United is at fourth with 10 points after six matches./PN
