Ceres trips Marikina, pads lead in Phl Football League

Fil-German dynamo Stephan Schrock fired a brace for the second straight game as 10-man Ceres Negros trounced JPV Marikina, 3-1, to widen its lead in the Philippines Football League team standings Wednesday night at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod.

Schrock delivered the goods in the eighth minute with a header that gave the Busmen a 2-0 headstart and in the 54th minute with a chip off a powerful run that put the game beyond Marikina’s reach, 3-1, to power the defending champions to their 11th victory in 14 matches.

With their 35-point tally, the Busmen moved 12 markers clear of the Davao Aguilas, who dislodged Kaya FC Iloilo from No. 2 with a 3-1 victory over at rainsoaked Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

Mike Ott (7’) and Patrick Reichelt (45’) also scored for Ceres, which played one man down in the last 45 minutes following the dismissal of OJ Porteria before restart. Porteria and Marikina coach Dan Padernal were sent off after figuring in a commotion during the halftime break.

“It’s not easy playing with one player less. It’s very hard. The players did everything but I don’t know how long we can do that,” said Negros coach Risto Vidakovic. “I’m proud of my players because it’s not easy playing against them and they put everything in every game.”

Meanwhile, Davao leapfrogged Iloilo after picking up its third straight win.

Phil Younghusband assisted Tyler Matas for the go-ahead in the 76th minute then sealed the deal with a breakaway strike in the 85th as the Aguilas caught up with Iloilo at 23 points.