Iain Ramsay: Second-half strike Photo by: Tristan Tamayo/Inquirer.net
BACOLOD CITY—Linked to a move overseas at the end of the season, Iain Ramsay is surely making a lasting impression in his first year playing for Ceres Negros.
With an Asian Football Confederation Cup spot and a finals berth in the Philippines Football League on the line, Ramsay delivered a stunning second-half strike that helped Ceres complete a 3-1 aggregate win over a gritty Kaya Makati side before a huge Saturday night crowd at Panaad Stadium.
Over at Rizal Memorial Stadium, Global Cebu made it an all-Visayas finals as it stunned Meralco Manila, after holding the Sparks to a 1-1 draw in the second leg for a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Like Ceres, Global will also be playing in the AFC Cup for the second straight year after Rufo Sanchez fired the winner five minutes from time. Curt Dizon handed the Sparks an early advantage due to away goals.
Sanchez’s late goal marked another stellar comeback for Global, which also struck twice late in the first leg, thanks to Wesley Dos Santos and Pika Minegishi.
The finals will be played on Dec. 16 with the league reportedly eyeing Panaad as venue.
Ramsay picked up a botched clearance from 30 yards out before unleashing an inch-perfect chip past Ref Cuaresma, who went off his line in a futile effort to clear a long ball from the Busmen.
The goal made it 2-1, an advantage which the Busmen held until the final whistle as the Ceres faithful celebrated a third appearance in the AFC Cup and the chance to make history as the first PFL champions.
“I’m just happy to get on the score sheet,” said Ramsay. “I’m very proud of my team. We have reached the league final and have qualified for the AFC again. It’s always a pleasure to play in front of our home fans.”
Holding a precious 1-0 advantage after the first leg at University of Makati, the Busmen settled into the game early with Bienvenido Marañon heading home from close range in the 31st minute.
But Kaya refused to wilt with Woody Ugarte pulling a goal back two minutes before halftime. Jordan Mintah almost made it 2-1 for Kaya at the hour mark but he sent a header wide with Roland Muller already off his line.