Negros pummels Davao to go 4th; Melliza now goals leader in Laguna win over Marikina

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA -- In an interesting showdown between Visayas and Mindanao in Luzon, the Visayan squad prevailed.

Ceres Negros dominated Davao, 3-1, in a PFL showdown at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.

Credited as a home game for Davao with the Davao Del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum unavailable, it was the road squad that rolled over, especialy in the second half, as the club bounced back from its AFC Cup exit.

Fernando Rodriguez drew first blood for Negros in the 17th minute.

The team, however, needed 33 minutes to go 2-0 up with Bienve Marañon doubling the lead.

Jeffrey Christaens sealed the win for Negros with an 87th minute strike.

Harry Sawyer scored the consolation goal for Davao at stoppage time.

Coupled by Marikina's loss at Laguna, Negros moved up to fourth place with 28 points after 13 matches.

Davao, on the other hand, remains winless after 15 games with only six points, all on draws, to flaunt.

Laguna 1 Marikina 0

In Biñan, Jhan-Jhan Melliza won it for Laguna as the club scored a huge 1-0 win against Marikina that boosted its chance of sneaking into the Final Four.

Melliza scored the breakthrough in the 77th minute as the race for number four has become tighter.

Laguna is now on 26 points after 19 games, while Marikina remains at 27 points.

Melliza's goal was his 13th of the season, putting him on top of the Golden Boot race as Takumi Uesato failed to add to his running total of 12.

Cebu 0 Manila 0

In Cebu City, Cebu and Manila settled for a goalless draw as the latter stayed seven points clear at the top of the table with 41 points compared to the former's 34.

The draw, however, gives Makati a chance to take second place from Cebu. Makati will travel to Bantay to face Ilocos on Sunday night.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno