Dynamic Herb Cebu’s Rintaro Hama. –PFL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Dynamic Herb Cebu closed the gap on Kaya-Iloilo in the title race after edging past Mendiola FC 1991, 1-0, on Saturday in the Philippines Football League at PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite.
Japanese winger Rintaro Hama produced the marginal goal in the first half as Cebu picked up the full three points over a Mendiola side that kept the game close despite being near the bottom of the six-team table.
Cebu improved to 34 points, five behind Kaya for the lead with a game at hand, following the weekend’s lone match.
The Gentle Giants got on board in the 22nd minute when Marius Kore sent a long ball for Hama who fired the ball past Mendiola keeper Michael Asong and into the far post.
Cebu had multiple chances to double the lead with 13 shots, including five on target, but Asong and the rest of the Mendiola defense were able to keep the scoreline as is.
But Mendiola couldn’t find the equalizer it had been chasing since Hama’s goal and suffered a 12th defeat in 14 games.
The Bravemen remained at six points, two above bottom-feeder Maharlika-Manila.