CERES Negros sustained its hot streak at home with a 5-1 drubbing of Stallion Laguna while Global Cebu bounced back with a crucial away victory Wednesday night in the Philippines Football League.
A hattrick from Spanish striker Fernando Rodriguez boosted the Busmen to their second straight win and third at home as they moved up to fourth spot ahead of Kaya Makati on goal difference.
Over at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum City, Global returned to winning ways with a 2-1 nipping of the Davao Aguilas who remained winless this season.
An early goal gave Global the lead before Guinean striker Sekou Sylla doubled the advantage. Richard Talaroc pulled one back for the Aguilas, but Global hung on to pick up three points just four days after losing to JPV Marikina.
Global climbed to third spot with 13 points on four wins and a draw, while Davao remained in sixth with four points.
Bienvenido Marañon accounted for the two other goals for Ceres at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, taking his tally to six goals for the season, tying JPV Marikina’s Takumi Uesato on top of the scoring chart.
Ceres took the lead in the 18th minute when Junior Munoz found Marañon unmarked inside the box before the Spanish midfielder wrongfooted Stallion keeper Roland Sadia.
Stallion equalized nine minutes later with Jess Melliza dispossessing Ceres goalkeeper Roland Muller before finding the back of the net.
The Busmen regained the lead in the 37th minute with Marañon grabbing his second goal before Rodriguez scored the first of three goals at the stroke of halftime.
Rodriguez’s pinpoint strike in the 57th minute made it 4-1. He completed his hattrick in the 84th minute, firing into the roof of the net.
“I’m very happy to help the team to win the game,” said Rodriguez who was actually making his debut in the PFL, replacing injured compatriot Antonio Bello in the lineup.
“I feel a little bit heavy because (it was a) long time without (me) playing. The field also was not so easy to play (in) but (I’m) very happy for the victory.”
Games Tomorrow
(Quirino Stadium, Vigan)
4 p.m. Ilocos United
vs FC Meralco Manila
(Panaad Stadium, Bacolod)
4 p.m. Ceres-Negros vs Stallion Laguna