STEPHEN SCHROCK struck at crunch time to lift Ceres Negros past Visayas rival Global Cebu, 1-0, before the Busmen’s rabid fans at the Panaad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City in the Philippines Football League (PFL) last Sunday night.
The Busmen had more possessions in the match but just couldn’t find the back of the net until Schrock rifled the winner from long distance in the 79th minute that gave Ceres the victory.
Ceres now has 32 points after 15 games, two points behind Global, which remained in third place with 34 points in 21 matches.
Meralco Manila, meanwhile, spoiled the return of Phil and James Younghusband as the Sparks beat the Davao Aguilas, 2-0, to move farther away from the pack last Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Over at the Biñan Stadium also last Saturday, Ilocos United ended a 19-match slump as it completed a come-from-behind 2-1 win over JPV Marikina.
Tahj Minniecon and Jake Morallo delivered the goals for the Sparks, who hiked their total to 44 points on top of the table.
Minniecon drew first blood in the 52nd minute from a lightning pass from Anto Gonzales.
Morallo made it 2-0 in the 80th minute with a header off Tyler Matas’s pass from the corner.
The Younghusbands battled their former team Meralco but the Sparks’ swarming defense prevented the Filipino-Britons from scoring.
“Our plan was that when Phil and James get the ball, we would double-team them,” Meralco Coach Aris Caslib said. “That’s why there were so many orange shirts around them whenever they received the ball.”
The Aguilas remained winless in 17 games with seven points—all from draws.
“Two games in so short a time is hard for us,” Davao coach Marlon Maro said. “Our team is not balanced. I have too many midfielders and not enough side defenders.”
Kaya Makati, meanwhile, leaned on an explosive second half to blank Stallion, 4-0, at the University of Makati Stadium also on Saturday night.
The Makati Booters grabbed solo second place with 38 points.
Kaya Makati scored three goals in a span of six minutes—Jordan Mintah in the 61st and 67th minute, Miguel Tanton in the 63rd and Eric Giganto in the 86th.