Despite suffering a 2-0 defeat at home at the Panaad Park Stadium, leaders Ceres Negros FC still maintained their position at the top of the Philippine Football League (PFL) 2018 where they have a nine-point advantage over their closest rival Kaya-Iloilo.
The loss of Ceres goalkeeper Louie Casas in the first half gave the advantage to JPV Marikina as the latter then blasted in two goals after the break to remain second from the bottom of the six-team league.
Rivera Baguioro grabbed the opener on 59 minute as Kennedy Uzoka then finished things off for JPV a minute to the end for the full points.
While Ceres are comfortable at the top with 35 points from 15 matches played, JPV Marikina are fourth with 13 points from the same number of games.
In the meantime, Kaya-Iloilo picked up only their eighth win of the season when they beat Davao Aguilas 4-3 on the road.
A brace each from Lopez Mendy (4th and 62nd minute) and Alfred Osei (45th and 90th) were enough to deny Davao who were on target off Kim Sung-min in the 25th minute and James Younghusband (77th and 90th).
The result meant that Kaya remained on second and Davao still third.
PHILIPPINES FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2018 Current Standings
No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
1 | Ceres–Negros | 15 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 37 | 17 | +20 | 35 |
2 | Kaya–Iloilo | 14 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 31 | 22 | +9 | 26 |
3 | Davao Aguilas | 16 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 33 | 29 | +4 | 23 |
4 | Stallion Laguna | 13 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 28 | 26 | +2 | 18 |
5 | JPV Marikina | 15 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 19 | 38 | -19 | 13 |
6 | Global Cebu | 11 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 12 | 28 | -16 | 4 |