Ceres-Negros FC succumbed to a 0-2 loss against Kaya FC-Iloilo last May 12, 2018 at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City. Alfred Osei and Robert Lopez-Mendy were the goal scorers for the visitors.
The Iloilo squad went ahead in the 10th minute after a free kick from Miguel Tanton was quickly given to Jordan Mintah before the striker redirected it to Mendy. The striker was unmarked in the box and easily guided the ball for the 1-0 lead.
The home squad earned a penalty in the 24thwhen Takumi Uesato was clipped inside the box as he was taking a shot. Bienvenido Maranon stepped in for the penalty but his shot to the bottom corner was saved by Ace Villanueva.
Ceres had another opportunity to equalize in minutes later but a volley off a rebound by OJ Porteria slammed the crossbar to the delight of the local Kaya fans.
The busmen had chances in the middle of the half but their finishing was not on point with chances drifting off target. They were punished in the 40th minute when Osei beat the trap to lob the ball over Michael Cases for the 2-0 lead.
Negros had consecutive chance before halftime but a Mike Ott shot was blocked for a corner and a Uesato header was off target to keep the Kaya lead afloat.
Kaya would get the better chances early in the second half but Mendy’s attempt off a free kick and Mintah’s header off a corner were both off target.
The visitors were brought down to ten men in the 5th minute when Camelo Tacusalme earned a second yellow after tangling with substitute Stephan Schrock in a prior play.
Ceres piled on the pressure in the remaining minutes but Kaya always had the answers in their forays into the box. Mike Ott’s attempt in the 75th minute went straight to the keeper while a sneaky play from Manny Ott to Kevin Ingreso led to a missed attempt.
Schrock shuffled his way to the wings in the 83rd and unleashed a ball towards center. The ball however gets slightly past Uesato putting his header wide.
Super Herrera had a chance with a header a minute later but the attempt did not bother Villanueva. The match ended with Kaya earning its first win in Panaad breaking Ceres’ win streak and extending their own streak to three.
The result meant that Kaya jumped to second place with 13 points while Ceres is still in top spot with 15 points and a game in hand. Ceres-Negros will now travel to Myanmar in preparation for their important match against Yangon United.
