Dynamic Herb Cebu in the Philippines Football League. –PFL FACEBOOK/RM Chua
MANILA, Philippines–Dynamic Herb Cebu moved two points behind Kaya-Iloilo in the title race after repeating over Maharlika-Manila, 2-0, in the Philippines Football League on Wednesday at PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Rintaro Hama scored anew before Daniel Gadia delivered the telling blow in the second half as the Gentle Giants got another full three points and beat Maharlika for the second time in nine days.
Cebu improved to 40 points to close in on Kaya, which has been idle since its 3-1 win over Azkals Development Team last March 20.
Both clubs have now played an equal number of matches at 17 each, with seven to go in the league campaign including their final meeting tentatively scheduled next month.
It took just four minutes for Cebu to score the opener as JB Borlongan sent a long cross that bounced back twice to set up Hama’s header for his latest goal of the season.
Hama, the winger from Japan, scored the lone goal in Cebu’s win over Mendiola FC 1991 recently.
The scoreline stood until nine minutes before the end of normal time as Gadia fired from almost 25 yards to double Cebu’s lead.
Gadia had an equalizer when the Gentle Giants escaped with a 2-1 victory over Maharlika in Taguig City.
Maharlika lost for the 15th time in 17 matches to remain at the bottom at four points.