Ceres-Negros returned to PFL action with a 4-0 victory against Mendiola last June 29 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. Bienvenido Maranon topscored with two goals while Curt Dizon added another.
It only took two minutes before the busmen got ahead after Stephan Schrock floated the ball towards Maranon who headed in the opener. Hamed Hadjemadi had a chance for the away squad minutes later but his shot from distance was blocked by Roland Muller.
Ceres-Negros had a chance for a quick second but Carli De Murga’s header was over the bar. Maranon tried his own in the 17th minute but the ball went to the side netting.
A change early for the defending champs as Curt Dizon came in for Mik Tanton in the 27th. The hosts doubled their lead minutes later when Jeffrey Christaen’s cross was mishit by the defender for an own goal by Mendiola.
Maranon had a chance for the brace after sliding in the box but the keeper made a good save. Dizon had a good chance from inside the box but he skied his attempt.
Mendiola had twin chances off free kicks from Aljo Zabaja but both attempts were contained well by Muller. The half ended with Ceres-Negros having the two-goal advantage.
OJ Porteria with a chance early in the half but it was deflected over for the crossbar. De Murga had another chance off the corner but his header was just a bit over.
Franco De La Torre had his chance from 25-yards but his floating ball sailed over the goal. Jeffrey Christaens smashed a ball to Porteria but the keeper did enough to get it over the crossbar. Minutes later, Maranon controlled the ball in space and hit a shot but it was off target.
Curt Dizon blasted one from the edge of the box to make it 3-0 in the 65th minute. Porteria almost made if four minutes later but his uncontested shot could only hit the crossbar. Omid Nazari tried a volley off a corner but the shot was wide.
Maranon made it four in the 79th after Sean Kane delivered a cross to the Spaniard who had an easy tap-in. Schrock almost made if five but his chance was a yard wide of the second post. Maranon almost made a hat-trick after breaking the trap but Clores did well with a save.
Both teams had half chances in the end but the finals whistle blew with Ceres-Negros earning the three points. Maranon was given another Man of the match award for his performance.
