Crippled Ceres extends lead

Undermanned Ceres-Negros survived a late onslaught by Global Cebu to hack out a thrilling 4-3 win on Saturday night and extend its lead at the top of the Philippines Football League to nine points at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

Stephan Schrock and Mike Ott struck two goals each as the Busmen grabbed maximum points sans injured key players Bienvenido Marañon and Manny Ott.

Busmen coach Risto Vidakovic gave Amani Aguinaldo a rare start and Ceres hardly looked troubled defensively in the first half, which ended 3-nil. But goalkeeper Toni Doblas had to leave the match due to an injury at halftime.

Daryl Roberts pulled two goals back for Global early in the second half, before Mike Ott restored the two-goal cushion that allowed Ceres to win and be nine points up on Kaya-Iloilo. —CEDELF P. TUPAS