Manila: Ceres Negros beat Global Cebu 6-1 to claim a second consecutive Philippines Football League title at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, emerging champions with three games to spare.
Ceres were unstoppable in the 2018 season, having won 17 of the 22 games played, drawing three times and losing just twice.
Their achievement gives them a spot in the 2019 AFC Champions League Preliminary Stage, or direct qualification to next year's AFC Cup should they fail to advance to the Continent's premier club tournament.
Bienvenido Marañon scored a hat-trick while Mike Ott, Omid Nazari and Blake Powell added one for Negros. Marvin Angeles notched the lone goal for the Cebu side.
Both squads were equally aggressive early in the match with Darryl Roberts forcing debutant Roland Muller to a fine save while Global’s Alvin Sarmiento had to clear Mike Ott’s header from the line.
It was in the 23rd minute when the Busmen broke the deadlock after Manny Ott found Marañon, who struck a left footer to the bottom corner. Global had a good chance minutes later but Richard Talaroc scuffed his attempt in front of goal.
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Mike Ott doubled the advantage in the 35th when he beautifully struck the ball from 20 yards to beat the keeper. Omid Nazari scored another wonder goal minutes later when he volleyed from outside the box to make it 3-0.
Global Cebu made it interesting after the break when Marvin Angeles picked out the far post to beat Muller. The Cebu squad had another chance at the hour mark when Daniel Gadia broke the trap to set up a showdown with Muller. The Ceres returnee, however, had other ideas when he made a foot save on Gadia’s attempt.
Ceres-Negros were awarded a penalty in the 67th minute after Patrick Reichelt was fouled by Ian Lee. Marañon stepped up for the penalty but his spot-kick attempt was blocked by Badelic. The Spanish striker wouldn’t be denied minutes later when he capitalised on a defensive blunder to score his second.
The Busmen were awarded another penalty when Powell was clipped by Badelic after he tried to evade the keeper in the box. The Aussie striker made no mistake from the spot to score the fifth for Ceres.
Ceres completed the scoring in the 88th minute when Mike Ott crossed into the face of goal and Marañon tapped in to get his third.
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“It feels good,” said Man of the Match Ott. “We want to play hard and try to win every game. We’re really happy that we finished with the title and we’re looking forward for the next game in the AFC Cup.”
Ceres will resume their 2018 AFC Cup campaign as they take on Singapore's Home United on August 1 in the ASEAN Zonal Final at the Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium before the return leg a week later.
Source: ceresfootball.com
Source: the-afc.com