Ceres-Negros produced a comprehensive performance with a 4-1 victory over JPV Marikina last June 20 at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod. Stephan Schröck topscored with two goals while Mike Ott and Patrick added one apiece. Keigu Moriyyasu scored the lone goal for the visitors.
The busmen dominated the first half and almost scored as early as the 4th minute when Reichelt broke past the defense and sent a forward pass to Schröck which was blocked in the nick of time by David Basa.
The home squad wouldn’t be denied minutes later when OJ Porteria outran the offside trap before releasing to Ott on the opposite end. The younger Ott made no mistake and cleverly put the ball at the back of the net.
Ceres double the lead just a minute later when Reichelt cut through the wings and sent a pinpoint cross towards Schrock. The versatile midfielder headed perfectly into the top corner to the delight of the home crowd.
It was almost three when Ott teed up Omid Nazari outside the box sending a well struck ball towards the far post. JPV keeper Nelson Gasic however had other ideas pulling of a good save in the 14th minute.
The keeper’s efforts would be rewarded when his teammate pulled a goal back for the visitors. Keigo Muriyaso sent a curling ball from distance to lob Michael Casas who was off his line to make it 2-1. Casas redeemed himself minutes later when he rushed out to secure a high ball from two unmarked players from JPV.
Schrock and Porteria made a fine link up play in the 21st but the Schrock’s attempt was a foot off the post. Marikina almost had the equalizer when Kennedy Uzoka sprinted to setup a one-on-one with Casas who did well to make a save.
Ceres-Negros would have twin chances in the 39th minute when Mike Ott’s effort of a corner was blocked by the keeper with the resulting attempt from Porteria deflected towards Gasic.
They wouldn’t be denied in the final minute of regulation when Schrock won a ball from a defender to setup Reichelt with a tap-in to make it 3-0 at the half.
Ceres went down to ten men just before the restart when JPV Coach Dan Padernal and Porteria were sent off for an incident during the halftime break.
Marikina tried to take advantage but early chances from Allen Angeles and J Baguioro were not enough to bother the keeper. Ott would again torment the JPV defense to find a wide open Reichelt who redirected the ball wide of the goal.
It was in the 54th when Schröck willed his way from the halfline to beat everyone before sending a clean chip past Gasic and score his brace for the match.
The visitors threatened again in the 57th minute with a grounder but Amani Aguinaldo did well to deflect the ball out for safety. Schrock had a good chance from thirty yards in the 79th but his free kick was collected by the keeper.
JPV had good chances in the 82nd minute when Basa headed the ball wide and Muriyasu volleyed a ball that went straight to the crossbar. Ryuki Kozawa had a decent chance in injury time but his attempt was blocked well by Junior Munoz. The full time whistle blew after with Ceres getting its third win over the Marikina side.
“Its not easy playing with one player less,” said Ceres Coach Risto Vidakovic. “It’s very hard. The players did everything but I don’t know how long we can do that. I’m proud of my players because its not easy playing against them and they gave everything in every game.”
The memory of Manny Ott getting injured in the last match with JPV was still fresh on Vidakovic’s mind after the match and the Ceres mentor was still wondering why there is no show of remorse from the opposing side.
“I was there maybe five meters away. Its very hard for me to see the things. There is no reaction. Nobody has apologized. We didn’t see anything yet so its not serious,” he said.
Ceres-Negros will play the Japanese flavored side again on Saturday in Panaad before having back to back games against Stallion Laguna next week.
The win pushed the busmen to 35 points opening a 12-point gap to its nearest rivals. The win by the Davao Aguilas against Kaya FC-Iloilo earlier in the day meant that the two teams are tied at 23 with Kaya still having played two less games.
